Nearly four months of braving security risks in Afghanistan have ended in success for a Calgary man who led the building of a large school for returning refugees.

Ash Khan arrived home Thursday night, confident a school for up to 1,000 boys and girls in the Jalalabad area will open by next month and be safe from militant attacks.

"The security is certainly going to improve -- I've seen police patrolling in Ford trucks," said Khan, adding a new road in the area has provided more access for police and soldiers.

American military convoys also make regular appearances in the area, he said, adding a Taliban that's increasingly aggressive in other parts of the country haven't posed the same threat there.

Khan contributed considerable funds for the US$80,000 cost of building the 12-classroom school that will replace dilapidated tents for the children of 5,000 families who have returned from refugee camps in Pakistan.

The retired engineer oversaw the construction, which used local labour and materials to help the area's economy -- and generated considerable gratitude.

"The people are very happy Canadians have built the school," said Khan, 69.

The school's been sponsored by two groups, Canadians Support Afghan Women and Calgary-based Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.

The challenge now, said Khan, is to ensure the school's 16 teachers remain through continued funding.

"Right now, they're only paid $60 a month," he added.

Khan said he wanted to stay longer to see students move into the school, but was told by locals the risk of being targetted by bandits shouldn't be tempted.

"The village people are very humble and would like me to stay but I was told not to," he said.

But Khan said he's willing to return -- possibly next year -- to help street kids in the Jalalabad area.

"For the street children -- and there are plenty -- we'd provide them with education, a hot meal and skills so they don't have to keep begging," said Khan.