Young volunteers from Christian Aid's Platform2 project

As part of a £10m project to raise awareness of global development, 2,500 young Department for International Development volunteers are taking part in work in countries including South Africa, Ghana and Peru. We look at their work in Volunteers' Week. Here, volunteers take local transport to reach their final destination, Sovie in Ghana Photograph: Platform2

Jo Chattoo, a volunteer from London, teaches sociology at the Catholic Youth Vocational school in Sovie, Ghana. The Platform2 scheme is aimed at 18- 25-year-olds from less advantaged backgrounds who would not normally be able to afford to volunteer overseas Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2

Josephine, right, is an 18-year-old sociology student. During 10-week placements, volunteers live in local communities and learn about the issues faced in their host country Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2

Volunteers Hannah and Joshua climbed Mount Afadjato as part of their 10-week experience in Ghana. Volunteers have some free time to explore Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2

The local barber in the village Sovie in Ghana. On their return to the UK, volunteers attend three-day residential workshops where they share their experiences and learn about raising awareness of development issues Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2

Regina Franklin with her children, Anatu, James and Chris. Regina produces maze, casava, yam, plantane, palm nuts and palm oil for the Catholic Youth Vocational School in Sovie Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2

Two-year-old Tzedze, Dzobo John, 10 and Emmanuel, 10, Sovie village Photograph: Jamie-Jiei Uchima/Platform2