Raising Our Children, Together
By Liz Makheti
A Village Called Dove Court
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But what happens when that village isn’t a rural homestead, but a gated community? For the residents of Dove Court in Syokimau, we decided to find out. We took that ancient proverb and turned it into a living, breathing reality—one mentorship session, one football match, and one shared meal at a time.
More Than Just Neighbours
When most of us moved to Dove Court between 2011 and 2014, we were just families looking for a place to call home. But we quickly realized something special: our children were growing up together, often within the same age brackets. The boys would gather after school to kick a ball around, and the girls would chat in clusters.
It didn’t take long for us to see the opportunity hiding in plain sight. If our children were going to grow up together anyway, why not be intentional about it?
That’s how our mentorship project was born.
A Programme for Every Stage
Today, our mentorship programme runs every school holiday, and we’ve structured it to meet the children where they are. We have dedicated sessions for:
- Primary school students – building foundational values and study habits.
- High school students – navigating the turbulence of adolescence.
- Post-high school students – preparing for the workforce, college life, and independence.
Each holiday, we gather for sessions covering a wide range of topics: academic performance, peer pressure, drug abuse, career selection, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. We don’t just lecture—we create safe spaces for honest conversations.
Our facilitators are primarily volunteers from among the parents, but we also invite external professionals to speak on specialised topics. And yes, we always have tea and snacks, lovingly organised and contributed by the mothers. Because in our village, no child learns on an empty stomach.
Mentorship on the Pitch
We also believe that some of life’s best lessons are learned on the field. Through sports, we have seen transformation happen in real time.
One of our neighbours—a CAF C licensed football coach—generously stepped forward to mentor the boys. They practice regularly, and the results have been nothing short of inspiring. Some of our boys have gone on to play for professional teams in Division One, while others have received opportunities to play abroad. Their friends from outside the court are also welcome, because our village is always expanding.
Faith as a Foundation
We are also fortunate to have pastors among us. As a result, our sessions often include Bible study, which helps ground the children in faith and moral character. While our programme is faith-based, it is interdenominational—every child is welcome, regardless of their background. The goal is to build strong values, not walls.
The First Cohort is Giving Back
This is where it gets beautiful. Our first cohort is now in the workforce or college, and many of them have chosen to come back as volunteers to mentor the younger ones. It’s a full-circle moment that reminds us why we started this journey.
We also extend mentorship beyond the classroom and the pitch. Occasionally, we organise court clean-up days and clear the grass on the playing field—teaching responsibility through action. And the mentorship doesn’t stop at high school. Even those already working come back for guidance on career changes, salary negotiations, or just navigating adulthood. These are done on a needs basis, through one-on-one sessions.
Challenges? Yes. But the Positives Outweigh
It hasn’t always been smooth. Coordinating schedules, keeping children engaged, and managing differing opinions takes effort. But the positives have far outweighed the challenges.
Our children are growing into balanced young adults pursuing careers they genuinely enjoy. On any holiday, you’ll still find the older boys playing football at Mabao Stadium, the same ones who once kicked a ball around our streets as children. They are not just successful—they are present, grounded, and connected to their community.
Why We Do It
What drives us is a simple but profound belief: if my neighbour’s child is disciplined, well-balanced, and thriving, then my own child will not be negatively influenced by their company.
If we all decided to treat the places we live as villages—not just streets with houses, but communities with shared responsibility—we would raise a generation of young people who are stable, grounded, and full of purpose. We would have fewer of the challenges we currently see among our youth. And we would build a society that is more balanced, more compassionate, and more connected.
Dove Court may be small, but our vision is vast. And we invite every community—whether in Syokimau or beyond—to do the same. Because when we raise our children together, we don’t just protect our own. We build a better future for everyone.
Liz Makheti is a resident of Dove Court and a passionate advocate for community-based youth mentorship.
