In 2019, we built a fence.
But that’s not where the story begins.
A year earlier, during an International Children’s Day reading session, I asked a group of Primary 6 pupils a simple question:
“If you could ask for anything as a gift, what would it be?”
I expected books, school bags, maybe toys.
Instead, most of them said the same thing:
“A school fence.”
Honestly, my first feeling was fear.
A fence wasn’t a book drive or a donation box, it was a construction project. And for a moment, I didn’t know if we could pull it off.
But then I paused.
Not because I hadn’t heard them, but because I understood them.
They Weren’t Just Asking for a Fence
Their school environment was open and vulnerable. Strangers could walk in during school hours, and children sometimes saw people loitering near their classrooms.
When they asked for a fence, they were really asking to feel safe.
That moment changed how I thought about the project.
We didn’t design it based on what we assumed they needed. We listened to what they told us and then we decided to try.
When You Say Yes Before You Know How
What followed was a journey of faith and persistence.
Letters were written. Community leaders and CDAs were consulted. Construction partners were found who generously offered their services. Approvals were sought. And we kept going, even on days when nothing seemed to move.
There were moments I almost gave up.
But eventually, that simple request became:
A fence. A gate. A school sign.
And, most importantly, a safer learning environment for the children.
What the Fence Taught Me
The project reinforced something I have come to believe deeply: the people we serve often know what they need.
“Our first responsibility is sometimes not to arrive with the answer, but to ask the right question and genuinely listen to the response.”
It also reminded me that no single organisation can carry meaningful change alone.
This project became possible because people were willing to contribute their time, expertise, relationships and resources.
And when a community understands the problem and believes in the solution, it can become one of your strongest partners in creating change.
Beyond the Fence
The school grew.
More organisations stepped in to support it.
But beyond the visible changes, we gave children something deeper: a greater sense of safety and dignity, and a space where they could learn with fewer distractions and greater confidence.
“It all began because we asked a simple question and were willing to listen to the answer.”
Sometimes meaningful change doesn’t start with a big idea.
Sometimes, it starts with a child telling you what they need.
And sometimes, leadership means having the courage to say yes before you know exactly how.
If this story resonated with you, or if you would like to support or learn more about the work we are building at Dolly Children Foundation, I welcome you to connect or reach out. Because the best solutions often begin with listening.
