A teacher from St Mark’s Academy in Mitcham, part of Anthem Schools Trust, says he is overwhelmed by the public’s kindness and positivity after he spoke about a school he and his wife set up in Ghana.

Back in 2006, Moses Mensah, 56, and his wife Philomena Mensah, 54, from Thornton Heath, used their own savings and a bank loan to buy land in Ghana and begin work to set up a school for local children.

Now the Oakhill Royal International School has more than 100 students and the final year pupils are preparing to sit their Basic School Certificate Examination this summer.

In an article in South London News, Mr Mensah explained how the school needed a new water purification system, a new school bus and funding to repair computers which keep breaking down.

Overwhelmed by readers’ enthusiasm and kind words, and encouraged by a huge response on social media, he set up a Go Fund Me page in a bid to raise the funds for the Ghanaian school.

“The reception was very warm – some people contacted me on social media and some people stopped me in the street,” said Mr Mensah.

“It gives me a real sense of satisfaction because the ultimate goal is to provide for those children.”

Mr Mensah, who is a teacher at St Mark’s Academy, part of Anthem Schools Trust, leads the Senior Leadership Team at the Ghanan school and spends every Sunday afternoon with them online crafting the activities for the following week.

He and his wife moved to the UK from Ghana in the early 2000s, first living in Mitcham before settling in Thornton Heath, but they have not forgotten their humble beginnings and wanted to support children in need.

Hannah Fahey, principal at St Marks Academy, Mr Mensah’s London school, said: “We are very proud of Mr Mensah’s achievement and for his ongoing commitment to the project in Ghana.

“It is very encouraging to hear that local people have been inspired by his story and are moved to give support to Oakhill Royal International School.”

Mr Mensah says he has set up Oakhill to mirror the core values of St Mark’s, an all-inclusive Church of England Academy: love, hope and trust.