Teachings in the Desert is a personal account from a group of 46 volunteers who spent 10 weeks living and working in rural Rajasthan India as part of Platform2.

The exhibition showcases 30 images, accompanied by text and live music, portraying personal accounts of life in a developing country, seeking to raise awareness of the harsh conditions the local people endure; their strength of character; and the poverty in which they live. It shows something of the people, the colourful nature of their personalities, their smiles and their sorrows.

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The volunteers come from across England and are aged between 18-26. They had not met before heading out to India any many of them now share a close friendship. One of the photographers, Elouise Flaherty used only a medium format camera, creating a stunning series of portraits of the villagers she was working with. 

During their time away Abbi, 25, from Bristol, and her fellow volunteers lived alongside rural communities and taught Maths and English to 3-12 year olds, they built a local school in a particularly isolated village and renovated classrooms bringing them to life with colourful scenes of nature and educational materials. 

Curator Abbi says, "…It shows the admiration and respect that they developed for the communities, one that can only be learned by experiencing life as they lived it."

Abbi decided to apply to Platform2 because she had always been interested in different cultures and experiencing different ways of life. She saw this as a once in a life time opportunity to live within a different culture and really experience life as they live it.

“My time in India was incredible, I learned so much from the children, villagers and other volunteers I was working with. It was an emotional journey but one that I would never change. The one thing that has stayed with me is the openness of the people I met, they told us stories of their life and their culture, they smiled and welcomed us into their lives.”

The exhibition opened on the October 15, where the photos were accompanied by film screenings, showcase of a children’s book created by a volunteer who has recently returned from South Africa, as well as live music, Indian food, Chai tea, colourful decor and an audience with some of the photographers.

It will stay open until Wednesday October 27, so get yourselves down there now!