Funding for voluntary students to work in South Africa
August 20 2009 by Mark Johnstone
Work in South African as a volunteer
A new UK government scheme intended to encourage A level students to carry out voluntary work in South Africa, Peru, India, Ghana and other developing countries, has been launched.
The Platform 2 programme provides funding for a number of young people between the ages of 18 and 25 to travel to other countries and complete voluntary work for up to ten weeks.
The scheme is run by the Department for International Development, Christian Aid and BUNAC. Taking part in a voluntary programme at an exotic location is completely free for successful applicants. The scheme also offers an opportunity to work overseas without having to apply for a skilled work South African visa.
Voluntary jobs include working in South Africa at the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society, which looks after abused, orphaned or vulnerable children. There are also programmes in Nepal where students can teach in after school clubs or in Kenya where eco-projects are taking place to help locals make money from their environment.
Working abroad is widely regarded as a very positive thing for young people to do and as job opportunities in the UK grow ever-more sparse, the attraction is greater than ever. Now, as a result of Platform 2, some students will get the chance to work abroad for free.
Applications must be received by October.
See the latest Immigration News
