POETRY BOOK FREE DOWNLOAD - CLICK HERE!

Platform2 is a project funded by UKaid from Department for International Development (run by Christian Aid and BUNAC) that sends 18 – 25 year olds to volunteer on epic 10 week placements in the developing world – from Ghana to Peru. As you can imagine, these volunteers come back with a visceral catalogue of exciting and challenging experiences – their emotions stimulated and tested by the vastly different circumstances they are thrown into.

Coming home after such a life-changing trip can be somewhat of a culture shock – and what better way could there be to deal with that shaky transition than finding a creative medium through which to channel your experiences, and bring your adventure to life for others?

Last night, down a dark alleyway just off Brick Lane, amidst the scent of spices and the wandering street traffic, the Platform2 returnees made it their mission to express themselves. At the launch of the Platform2 poetry book, the bustling audience of friends and family were treated to a platter of poetic delights: a mix of the fresh and admirable talents of the volunteers themselves, and the lyrical skills of pro spoken word acts Poetic Pilgrimage, Verbz and Sha’maya.

One by one, the brave and creative young volunteers stepped up to take the mic. A hush fell over the audience and we silently stood, crammed beneath the low ceilings of the basement venue. Our eyes were fixed on the performers, our ears and minds alike were swept up in the stories and images their carefully chosen words conjured.

'We heard tales of anonymity and unity, of injustice and bravery, of repression and resistance'

We heard stories of faraway places, of lands, skies and seas so vast they took your breath away, and colours so bright they were blinding.

We heard tales of anonymity and unity, of injustice and bravery, of repression and resistance.

As each poet introduced themselves and their experience, it became crystal clear that the sights they’d seen, the people they’d met, and the perspective they’d gained from being out of their comfort zone for 10 long weeks had had a pretty profound effect on their vision of the world. They spoke about the different faces of poverty, and how ‘poverty’ as a concept can imply so much more than simply a lack of material possessions. They spoke about gender inequality, and the silent cultural injustices that force millions of young girls and women into second place.

They sang about the strength and courage of those living in difficult circumstances; about their ability to remain upbeat in the face of adversity, often putting the jaded Western mindset to shame.

'Our eyes were fixed on the performers, our ears and minds alike were swept up in the stories and images their carefully chosen words conjured'

The entire evening felt like a vivid collage of experience and feeling; a vibrant tapestry made up of the unique experiences of each poet; the legacies of those they’d met on their trips, and the moments that had touched them were all woven into its colorful fabric.

The prevailing message of the night was perfectly encapsulated by the wise words of spoken word and hip hop duo Poetic Pilgrimage, who I caught up with after their inspiring performance. “I think there’s something really special about expression and creativity that really hits home; regardless of creed, colour or background. If you can use language in a way that it communicates what your heart is really trying to say, that’s an amazing achievement.”

At the poetry book launch, the Platfrom2 returnees proved they were more than capable of doing exactly that.

Words and Photos: Eva Baker

For more information on Platform2 please visit www.myplatform2.com

To access the PDF file of the Platform2 poetry book click here

To check out Poetic Pilgrimage on myspace click here