The Department of At-Risk Youth at the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) has taken a bold and compassionate step toward restoring hope to Liberia’s disenfranchised youth.
On Thursday, the Department fed over 200 disadvantaged young people—known locally as “Zogos”—who currently reside in the King Gray Cemetery in Paynesville, near ELWA Junction.“Zogos,” these vulnerable young people are often marginalized and face extreme poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction.
The outreach, led by Rev. Caleb S. G. Dormah, Director of the Department of At-Risk Youth, was not just about meeting physical hunger but also touching hearts and offering a second chance. The youth served are part of a growing population living in extreme poverty, trapped in cycles of drug abuse, homelessness, and neglect.
Rev. Dormah spoke with conviction about the deeper purpose of the initiative. “This isn’t only about food. It’s about transformation. These sons and daughters are our neighbors. They have dreams. They have stories. Many were once college students, promising athletes, or vocational trainees who lost their way. But we still believe in them.”
Rev, Dormah called the disadvantaged youth his diamond on the dirt and will work improving their lives.
Indeed, the lives touched during the event speak volumes about the impact of the work. One young man, unnamed, shared his story quietly as he waited in line. “I used to go to school with big plans. Drugs took everything from me,” he said. “But today, the church came and reminded me I’m not invisible. I want to try again.”
For many, the hot meal of rice and soup was the first proper food they had eaten in days. But it was the human connection—the prayers, the handshakes, the kind words—that left the deepest impression. “I didn’t just eat today,” said another young man, his eyes welling with tears. “I felt like I existed again. That’s something food alone doesn’t do.”
As Rev. Dormah offered a heartfelt prayer before the meal, the cemetery—often filled with despair—was transformed into a space of reverence and unity. Hundreds bowed their heads as he prayed for restoration, healing, and hope. “It’s painful to see young people living, eating in a cemetery,” said one community member who observed the outreach. “But what happened today brought light into this dark place.”
Beyond the food and prayer, the initiative is designed to be a launching pad for long-term change. Rev. Dormah outlined plans for rehabilitation , counseling, vocational training and spiritual mentorship . “We want to take these young people off the street, help them , give them a skill, and help them re-unite society with dignity,” he emphasized. “The food is just the beginning.”
The Department also hopes to prevent future hardship by implementing school-based awareness campaigns in Montserrado Bomi and Margibi Counties. “We’re developing programs to talk to high school students about the dangers of drugs and street life before they fall into the same trap,” said Rev. Dormah. “We believe prevention is more important than rescue.”
Several of the youth served expressed their hope that this will not be the end of the church’s continued involvement. “We say thank you for the food and water,” said one youth. “We pray this will continue and this will not be the last time. Please don’t forget us.”
Meanwhile, the Department of At-Risk Youth wants a broader coalition of churches, civil society, and government agencies to join the effort. “This is a national crisis,” Rev. Dormah stressed. “We cannot solve it alone. But together, we can give these young people a new life.”
As the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church continues to walk the path of compassion and service, this initiative stands as a powerful testimony to what faith, care, and collective action can do a plate of love save a life intime.