SWAY SHOUTS OUT TO GET OVER 500 YOUNG PEOPLE TO SIGN UP TO P2

MOBO winning hip hop artist Sway has spoken out to encourage UK young people to apply for Platform2.

Platform2 is a fully funded global volunteering experience for 18-25 year olds who would not normally be able to afford this kind of opportunity. The scheme is funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development and run by Christian Aid and BUNAC.

Over 500 places have just opened up for departures leaving in early 2010 and Sway is urging young people to sign up:
“Sign up today – what have you got to lose? It’s fully funded, you get to work on a project that will change people’s lives in a poorer country, and then you get to chat to your mates and community about what you’ve seen when you get back. Sounds like its all good.”
The Royal Priesthood with MC’s Silas, TL and Sixth entertained crowds at the Greenbelt festival held last weekend with their music in the afternoon before a discussion session featuring Sway, Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander and returning Platform2 volunteers who took turns to talk about their experiences of development.

Sway visited Ghana as a baby with his Ghanaian parents, and also when he was 14 where he saw a very different side:

“All I remember about Africa was the negative side and when I visited I was amazed about how different it was to how people perceive it in the UK”.

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, spoke about the importance of Platform2:

“The 10 week programme provides meaningful development work and then the volunteers bring this back to the UK and tell their story about the challenges of tackling poverty”.

Julia Stacey, 21, from Islington, London, Platform2 volunteer.

"I really enjoyed Greenbelt as it gave me an opportunity to share my experience of Platform2 to a crowd that were interested in learning about poverty and how development can change their lives.

I found Platform2 an invaluable experience, and I’m now working in International development for Platform2 which was my dream. It was also really great to be able to sign people up and interview Sway!”

Volunteers who are accepted on the programme work for 10 weeks on projects in Ghana, India, Nepal, Kenya, South Africa and Peru in community projects, building schools, toilets, community centres or teaching English. On their return they raise awareness of global issues in their local community. Over 700 people have been on the programme so far.

You can apply online or download the application from www.myplatform2.com or call to chat (0800 988 6828). Completed applications need to be received by October.