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Martin in Ghana with Platform2

Funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and run by Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and BUNAC - the Platform2 overseas volunteering scheme is aimed at young people who wouldn't otherwise get the chance to volunteer abroad.

Volunteering with Platform2

All expenses paid

The programme is fully funded and free for each volunteer, it includes return economy flights, travel insurance, local food and accommodation staying with either a local family or in dormitories.

The volunteers travel in groups of 10 - 15 to a developing country for 10 weeks working together on various community projects where they are able to learn new skills while making a valuable contribution - countries including South Africa, Ghana, India and Peru.

Making a difference

A chance to make a difference

“Volunteers will see at first-hand the poverty challenges faced by different countries and how aid is making a difference.

"It’s important that young adults understand the issues that shape the world they live in." - DFID

My Platform2 experience

Martin from Tyseley and Khalid from Sparkbrook have already taken up the opportunity to volunteer in Ghana with Platform2 during May - July 2008.

They have written a personal reflection of their memorable experiences for the BBC Birmingham website.

Read about their trip below.

Khalid in Ghana

My Platform2 experience in Ghana by Khalid Mahmood

"I have always wanted to travel abroad and work with some sort of charity, so when this opportunity came up I just had to take it.

"The entire trip in itself will always be a memorable one for me - just seeing and working with so many different people in a very different environment made this trip worthwhile. In addition seeing the waterfalls, caves, ranges and animals was the icing on cake.

"Our daily activities were pretty simple really. Monday to Friday we would get up at 7am and ride to the next village on bikes, have breakfast then start work. Lunch was between 12-2pm and work till 4pm. We would have our dinner at the site and then bike home. After the days work some people would go into community while others would just relax at home.

"Helping others gives you the best pleasure ever..."

"Visiting Ghana and meeting so many people (include those in my group) has definitely changed my life. I have never been away from my family that long before (10 weeks) in another country. I learned a lot of new things from the Ghanaian people - things which now make me think differently.

Khalid in Ghana with Platform2

"I would really encourage other young people to take up this opportunity.... 10 weeks in one of many countries for free - what more can one ask for???

"I've learnt that from now on if I see something negative to just change my perception and make a positive out of it. I've also learnt that helping others gives you the best pleasure ever."

See pictures of Khalid in Ghana

Martin in Ghana with Platform2

My Platform2 experience in Ghana by Martin Warrilow

"When I applied for the Platform2 scheme I had just finished university and had started a freelance career which was going quite successfully. But I realised that everything I had aimed to do up to that point had really been to fulfill my own wants and needs.

"Finding out about the Platform2 volunteering opportunity to work in Africa, made me think that for once I could put my efforts into something else that was aimed towards helping other people in a less fortunate situation."

Helping to make a difference

"The work in Ghana would differ from day to day, some tasks included painting, i.e (tourist centre and toilet facilities), planting seeds and packing bags of dirt. The bags were to be sold within the local communities so they could to start off their own nursery of tress and crops.

Martin entertaining a local family

"I also helped to design a four part school programme to teach youngsters about wildlife and the environment, after which we toured the schools teaching the programme.

"We would spend our evenings relaxing in the village with the community - playing music, going for a drink at a local 'spot', and playing with the local children.

Safety in a mud hut

"One of my most memorable experiences happened whilst we were working on finding GPS positions for mapping the Mountain range which surrounded us. It was a two day excursion because of our location and scale of work, and we had to sleep over on the mountain range in a mud brick hut.

Martin and Khalid in Ghana

"After getting some successful readings we decided to make our way back to our shelter to rest before it got too dark. On the way back the heavens opened and the rains poured down. We were stuck in a severe thunderstorm, our path was flooded and it was pitch black.

"Being so wet and high up in the mountains we were walking electricity conductors - so we had to get back quickly.

"We eventually got back and the mud hut which was so bare suddenly felt so safe compared to the conditions outside.

Martin in Ghana with Platform2

"In the morning the storm had cleared and we made our way to a nearby mountain village where a local family made a living by selling their livestock. We bought a goat and one of our group killed it so we could eat it for breakfast.

"We had a great time..."

"Our group of eight was very close knit, we were from different backgrounds and different ages, but nothing came in our way as a group - we did everything together. We were encouraging and supportive of one another and had a great time in the two and a half months that we shared together.

Martin with other Platform2 volunteers

"I would definitely encourage other young people to get involved with Platform2. The experience will give you an insight into a completely different cultures and might even make you appreciate where you come from even more.

"I learnt that often in other countries people have ideas and dreams that they will never get to realise. For us to be offered opportunities and chances in life and pass them up is not only regrettable - but foolish."

See pictures of Martin in Ghana

Stop dreaming and go too...

Are you aged between 18 – 25 and would like the chance to make a huge difference to people's lives in developing countries? Get in touch with Platform2 and find out how you can get involved with the many overseas volunteering opportunities throughout the year.

Visit the Platform 2 website for more information about the scheme and how young people can get involved.