IT'S an ambitious project and Winton School teacher Peter Donkor knows he'll have his work cut out.

But it has become a dream and passion of his to build a school back in his homeland of Ghana, which will offer free education to 90 of the poorest youngsters in the market town of Kasoa.

The 38-year-old is one of the fortunate ones. He is university educated and his three children attend private school in Ghana.

His father was a school teacher and he sacrificed much so that Peter, his seven brothers and one sister could continue their learning.

"I am the eldest child, and in my country there is a lot of pressure on the eldest to look after his siblings and do the best for the family," said Peter.

"Luckily, my father is a good man and he struggled to make sure we were all looked after well and that we went to school."

Ghana is a west African country in the developing world which does not have a free education system.

It means the poorest children do not go to school and even those who can afford to, rarely have a complete education.

"There are so many kids roaming the streets back home, begging and selling dirty plastic bags full of water.

"It's so dangerous what they do, but very few have a choice," said Peter.

He wants to play his part in shaping the future of his country and believes this starts with education.

"I didn't come here with the aim of fundraising to build the school, it sort of developed," he says.

"It's my thinking that the Ghanaian government has its part to play; we, the educated ones have our part to play and businesses have their part, too.

"If I can help take some of the load off the government, to let it concentrate on helping these poor people, then I want to," said Peter.

The maths teacher has been in Andover for just over a year and has recently been reunited with his wife Mary. He's hoping to complete a masters degree before returning to Ghana in six years time.

He's been given the full support of Winton School head teacher Andrew Smith, as well as staff, parents and pupils.

The school has pledged itself to a mammoth fundraising programme over the next five years, to raise £5,000 a year toward the project.

It's hoped Peter can buy the land in the next couple of months and begin building when his target of £30,000 is reached.

"Then it's up to me to make it work," he says. "I'm extremely excited and have been very fortunate. I just want to make some other people smile and feel happy too."

If you would like to contribute to Peter's project, contact Winton School on 351822.