The future looks brighter for many children in Ghana thanks to a special project set up by a Norfolk woman.

The Wulugu Project has helped thousands of poverty-stricken children since it was founded by Great Melton-based Lynne Symonds, pictured, in 1993, and now 500 primary school pupils are looking forward to moving into a new school building as one of the Wulugu's latest projects nears completion.

Currently taught in just a couple of huts, the Gbenfu Primary School children will soon have lessons in a new three-classroom building that has been made a reality thanks to the late Peggy Ellis, who taught Mrs Symonds when she was a child and who left the Wulugu Project about �14,000 in her will. The new building, which could be open by May, is to be called Peggy Ellis Primary School in her memory.

Mrs Symonds, who in 1996 became the first white woman to become a tribal chief in northern Ghana, said: 'The school building is now being painted, and they (the people of Gbenfu) still cannot believe their luck. This is all because of my very first primary school teacher when I was five, and it will help so many children.'

The Wulugu Project also plans to build a junior high school in the area so young people aged 14 to 17 can continue their education. A trust has given the project just over �30,000 to pay for the new school and staff accommodation to help attract good quality teachers. The money will also fund small loans to enable mothers to set up small businesses to help them feed their family and enable their children go to school.

Mrs Symonds said: 'This is a region where less than 1pc of heads of family have had any education. We have a great opportunity to work with them to break the poverty cycle and are extremely grateful for the help we receive from people.'

For more about the Wulugu Project and to donate funds visit www.wulugu.co.uk

Are you involved in a new project helping those in need overseas? Call Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk