A TEENAGER from Stroud is swapping a job as a lifeguard to volunteer educating disadvantaged and disabled children in Ghana.

Ewan O’Kane, 18, who has just finished his A-levels, will be staying with a host family on a three month placement for the VSO charity.

The former Thomas Keble and Cirencester College pupil will join six other volunteers in the small rural town in the north of the West Africa country.

Flying out in October, he will spend the winter volunteering in a number of schools in rural communities, working to increase access to education for disadvantaged children, particularly girls and disabled children.

Ewan was able to set up the placement through the International Citizen Service (ICS), the UK’s leading global volunteering programme for young people who want to do voluntary work abroad.

“This could be a potentially life-changing trip, so I can’t wait to set off,” he said.

“I know some parts are going to be hugely challenging, so I’m going out there with an open mind.

“Many of these kids we’ll be working with haven’t completed their education because of socio-cultural beliefs, poverty barriers, or the school environment and quality of teaching.

“So it’s an incredibly worthwhile cause - everyone child should have the right to access education.

The teen has a fundraising target of £1500 for VSO, and has organised a sponsored swim at Beaudesert Park School where he works as a lifeguard.

Setting himself a difficult challenge off swimming one mile with one arm, Ewan is hoping to raise a chunk of the money needed to fund his trip.

“Any contribution from you will make a real different to the lives of people in developing countries, so please dig deep,” he added.

On his return he is hoping to achieve a place to study international development at Portsmouth University next year.

He has set up a Just Giving page where people can donate.

Please visit: www.justgiving.com/Ewan-O-Kane/