Updates

News & Blog

Stories, announcements, and recognitions from YOD and the Dogoloya community.

Community Updates · 27 July 2026

MEET THE DONOR OF THE DR. CHERNOR M. B. JALLOH UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME (ABOUT DR. CHERNOR MAMOUD BENEDICT JALLOH)

Dr. Chernor Mamoud Benedict Jalloh is a distinguished Sierra Leonean lawyer, academic, researcher, and educationist with over two decades of professional experience in law, academia, and community service. He holds a PhD in Law, specialising in International Humanitarian Law, from the University of Palermo, Italy, with research focused on the Sierra Leone armed conflict. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate legal education qualifications from the Universities of Wolverhampton and Westminster in the United Kingdom (UK). Dr. Jalloh has played a significant role in the development of legal education in Sierra Leone. He was part of the team involved in the establishment of the University of Makeni, where he served as the first Head of the Law Department, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and in other senior leadership capacities. He currently serves in several academic and leadership roles at the University of Makeni, including Deputy Director of Academic Affairs, Acting Dean of the Postgraduate School, and Director for Research, Publication and Advocacy. He also maintains an active legal practice, advising and representing individuals, communities, organisations, and institutions. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Jalloh is deeply committed to education, youth empowerment, and community development. His personal journey reflects the transformative power of education and the importance of using knowledge and success to benefit others. He has empowered so many young people to reach their potential through education. Through his support for educational opportunities and scholarships, Dr. Jalloh seeks to empower young people to pursue their potential and contribute meaningfully to their families, communities, and nation. His message to young people is simple but profound: "Pursue an education and a life that will benefit you, your family, and your community." It is with this spirit that he partnered with the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOUNGEN) to empower youth through tertiary education, establishing the Dr. Chernor M.B. Jalloh University Scholarship Programme, which will give opportunity to about 30 young people from Dogoloya Town in 10 years, from 2026 to 2036. He believes that through this landmark opportunity, he will empower the next generation of leaders through education, a mission that remains at the core of his life's work. You can be another Dr. C. M. B. Jalloh tomorrow if you apply for this Scholarship today.

Community Updates · 11 July 2026

HOW HAVE WE INSPIRED, INFLUENCED, AND IMPACTED IN THREE YEARS.

"Communities are not transformed by promises; they are transformed by people who choose to act." Every great community is shaped by people who refuse to accept that change is someone else's responsibility and not collective. Progress is built by individuals who step forward to serve, who transform ideas into real action and who believe that the future is determined by what we do today rather than what we hope for tomorrow. This is the conviction that gave birth to the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOUNGEN) three years ago. Established on the belief that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development but active partners in creating it, YOUNGEN has become a symbol of unity, service and responsible leadership. From a shared vision among committed young people, the organization has grown into a respected force for community development under one enduring philosophy: Inspire • Influence • Impact. These three words are not just a motto. They are a commitment that every initiative undertaken by YOUNGEN must improve lives, strengthen the community and leave a lasting legacy for today and tomorrow. The greatest success of YOUNGEN cannot be measured on the scale of bricks, cement or financial value. It is measured by the confidence it has inspired in young people to believe that they can become agents of positive change within their own community. By creating a platform where young people contribute ideas, volunteer their time and participate in meaningful development initiatives, the organization has nursed a culture of responsibility, teamwork and active citizenship. Young people who once watched from the sidelines now stand at the forefront of being part of contributing to community development, proving that leadership begins with a willingness to serve. This commitment to service is mirrored in practical projects that continue to benefit the people of Dogoloya. Recognising the importance of the Dogoloya Mosque as both a place of worship and a centre of community life, YOUNGEN donated four solar-powered street lights to improve safety and accessibility during the evening. The organization also donated one ton of cement towards the construction of the mosque, contributing to a project that will serve generations of worshippers. Every light installed and every bag of cement donated reflects a simple but powerful belief: when communities work together, everyone benefits. YOUNGEN also believes that communities become stronger when they celebrate those who strengthen them. Through its Recognition Awards, the organization honours individuals whose dedication and selfless service have made significant contributions to the development of Dogoloya. Outstanding pupils and students who excel in public examinations are equally recognised, encouraging academic excellence and inspiring others to pursue education with determination and discipline. Recognition is more than an award; it is an investment in the values of hard work, integrity and service that every thriving community depends upon. The organization has remained equally committed to protecting the future of its young people. Drug abuse continues to pose a serious threat to communities across the country, and YOUNGEN has consistently responded through awareness, education and community engagement. The annual "Say No To Drugs Health Walk" brings together residents, youth and community leaders to promote healthy living while raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. This campaign continues through the "Say No To Drugs Football Match," where sport becomes a platform for promoting discipline, friendship, unity and positive life choices. Together, these initiatives remind young people that their greatest victories are achieved not only on the football field but in the decisions they make every day. Compassion has always remained central to the mission of YOUNGEN. During the holy month of Ramadan, the organization donates essential food supplements to six communities across Falaba District, sharing in the spirit of generosity, solidarity and care for those in need. These annual humanitarian efforts demonstrate that service knows no boundaries and that genuine leadership is measured by the willingness to uplift others. Education and public health remain essential pillars of sustainable community development, and YOUNGEN has invested in both. The renovation of three classrooms at the D.E.C. Primary School in Dogoloya has provided pupils and teachers with a more conducive environment for learning, while the renovation of toilet facilities at the secondary school and the Dogoloya Mosque has improved sanitation and promoted healthier public spaces for students, teachers, worshippers and the wider community. These projects may appear modest in scale, but their impact will continue to be felt for many years to come. Beyond the projects and public programmes lies another strength that defines YOUNGEN—its people. The organization has built a culture of unity, compassion and mutual support, standing beside its members during moments of celebration, hardship and loss. This spirit of solidarity has strengthened the organization from within and reminds every member that genuine leadership begins by caring for one another. When people speak of YOUNGEN, they often remember the solar street lights, the renovated classrooms, the Recognition Awards, the health walks, the football matches and the humanitarian donations. These achievements are important, but they tell only part of the story. The true legacy of YOUNGEN lies in the spirit it has awakened, generation of young people who refuse to believe that community development belongs to someone else; a generation that chooses action over excuses, unity over division and service over self-interest. The journey continues because the work is far from finished. New challenges will arise, new opportunities will emerge and new generations will be called upon to serve. YOUNGEN remains committed to creating opportunities for young people, strengthening education, promoting healthy living, supporting religious and community institutions and extending a helping hand wherever it is needed. Guided by faith, driven by unity and sustained by an unwavering commitment to service, the organization will continue working to build a stronger and more prosperous Dogoloya. The story of the Young Generation of Dogoloya is not simply the story of an organization. It is the story of a community discovering the power of collective action. It is the story of ordinary young people achieving extraordinary things through dedication, sacrifice and an unshakable belief that lasting change begins with those who are willing to serve. The greatest legacy is not found in the projects we complete, but in the people we inspire to continue the work.

Community Updates · 10 July 2026

Applications opens in 5days

Only 5 days to go! 🎓 Applications for the Dr. Chernor M.B. Jalloh University Scholarship Programme opens on 15 July 2026.

Community Updates · 9 July 2026

WE ARE NOT TOO YOUNG TO LEAD NOT TOO YOUNG TO SERVE.

WE ARE NOT TOO YOUNG TO LEAD. NOT TOO YOUNG TO SERVE. Too often, young people are told to wait. Wait until you are older. Wait until you have more experience. Wait until you have money, influence, or a title. Wait until someone gives you permission to lead. The unfortunate consequence of this mindset is that communities spend years postponing the contributions of the very people with the energy, creativity, and determination to transform them. Leadership is delayed. Innovation is ignored. Potential is wasted. The truth, however, is that leadership has never belonged to a particular age group. It has always belonged to those who are willing to accept responsibility. Age may bring experience, but it does not automatically produce vision, integrity, compassion, or the desire to serve. Likewise, youth does not diminish one's ability to solve problems, inspire others, or contribute meaningfully to society. Leadership is not determined by the date on a birth certificate. It is determined by the decisions we make, the values we uphold, and the lives we choose to improve. Every generation inherits challenges. Some choose to complain about them. Others choose to confront them. History remembers the latter. Across the world, young people have founded businesses, discovered scientific breakthroughs, championed social justice, advanced technology, promoted peace, and transformed communities. They did not wait until they were considered old enough. They recognized that every generation has a responsibility to shape its own future. Our community is no different. Dogoloya does not simply need young people who dream of change; it needs young people who are prepared to become that change. It needs young people who understand that leadership begins long before elections, appointments, or public recognition. It begins whenever someone sees a need and chooses to act. The young woman who mentors children after school is leading. The young man who organizes a community clean-up is leading. The volunteer who gives time to educate others, comfort the vulnerable, or unite divided people is leading. Leadership is found wherever service takes precedence over self-interest. This is the philosophy upon which the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOUNGEN) was founded. YOUNGEN was established because a group of young people who believed that every citizen, regardless of age, has both the ability and the responsibility to contribute to the progress of the community. That belief continues to define our mission. Every initiative we undertake, every project we implement, and every opportunity we create reflects one conviction: communities flourish when young people are trusted, empowered, and willing to serve. But leadership also demands accountability. It requires discipline when shortcuts appear attractive. It requires honesty when corruption seems profitable. It requires humility when recognition comes and perseverance when progress is slow. Leadership is not measured by applause but by sacrifice. It is not about being seen; it is about making others better. This is the kind of leadership our generation must embrace. The future will not be built by spectators. It will be built by young people who refuse to believe that someone else will solve every problem. Every school improved, every child mentored, every family supported, every tree planted, every conflict resolved, and every community project completed begins with ordinary people deciding that they will no longer remain on the sidelines. We must never allow our age to become an excuse for inaction, nor should we allow others to define the limits of our potential. The greatest barrier facing many young people is not a lack of ability but a lack of belief—belief in themselves and belief from society. It is time to change that narrative. Let communities stop asking whether young people are old enough to lead. Let them ask whether they are prepared to invest in young people who are already leading through service, integrity, innovation, and commitment. At the same time, let young people reject the comfort of excuses. Respect is not demanded by age; it is earned through character. Influence is not inherited; it is built through service. Leadership is not something we wait for; it is something we practise every day. At the Young Generation of Dogoloya, we believe that every young person possesses the ability to INSPIRE hope, INFLUENCE positive change, and create lasting IMPACT. Our responsibility is not to wait for tomorrow's opportunities but to make today's opportunities count. The future of our community will not be determined by those who waited for permission to serve. It will be shaped by those who understood that leadership begins with responsibility and that service begins with a willing heart. The time to lead is not someday. The time to serve is not when we grow older. The time is now. We are not too young to lead. We are not too young to serve. We are the generation that will INSPIRE, INFLUENCE, and IMPACT the future of Dogoloya.

Community Updates · 9 July 2026

Happy 3rd Anniversary, YOUNGEN! 🎉💙

Three years ago, a vision was born—to inspire hope, influence positive change, and create lasting impact in Dogoloya. Today, we celebrate not just an anniversary, but three years of service, unity, leadership, and community transformation. Every outreach, every volunteer, every young person empowered, and every life touched is a reminder that when young people choose to serve, communities thrive. As we mark this milestone, we recommit ourselves to our mission: to inspire, influence, and impact through selfless service and responsible leadership. Here’s to the journey we’ve shared, the progress we’ve made, and the brighter future we’re building together. Happy 3rd Anniversary to the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOUNGEN)! The best is yet to come

Community Updates · 8 July 2026

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM, WE ARE THE SOLUTION

It is often said "A society that blames its young people for every challenge has misunderstood its greatest asset." Whenever a community faces unemployment, crime, drug abuse, violence, or declining social values, the first accusation often falls on young people. We are described as impatient, irresponsible, and incapable of leadership. We are told that we are the problem. But history tells a different story. No nation has ever been transformed without the courage, creativity, and determination of its youth. Every generation that changed the course of history was led by young men and women who insisted that the world had to remain the way they found it. The bridges we cross, the institutions we admire, the businesses we celebrate, and the movements that shaped our societies all bear the fingerprints of people who were once considered "too young." The truth is simple: young people are not the PROBLEM. We are the SOLUTION. This is not to suggest that every young person always makes the right choices. Like every generation before us, we have our weaknesses and our struggles. Some young people lose their way, not because they were born to fail, but because they were denied opportunities, excluded from decision-making, or abandoned by the very systems that should have empowered them to live up to expectations. When a society neglects its youth and later condemns them for the consequences, it is treating the symptom while ignoring the cause. The question, therefore, is not whether young people have challenges. The real question is, are communities willing to invest in their greatest resource? Young people possess something every society desperately needs: energy to work, minds that innovate, hearts that dream, and the courage to challenge outdated ways of thinking. We are not limited by " this is the way things have always been." We imagine what could be, and then we work to make it possible. Every community that believes in its youth invests in them for its future. This belief forms part of heart of the Young Generation of Dogoloya. YOUNGEN was not established to be a pressure group to complain about wrongs in our community. It was created to become part of the solution. Rather than waiting for others to act, young people converged in unity with a shared conviction that development begins when ordinary people decide to do extraordinary things for the common good of our community. Over the years, that conviction has been translated into action. Community development initiatives have been undertaken. Educational opportunities have been promoted. Individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society have been recognized and celebrated. A reliable platform has been established to encourage young people to participate in the development of Dogoloya. We believe change begins when young people choose responsibility over excuses. We believe being the solution is not defined by age; it is defined by how much we are ready to do. It means refusing to spread division when unity is needed. It means replacing complaints with commitment, excuses with action, and indifference with service. It means understanding that leadership is not a title but a responsibility. A young person who teaches a child to read, mentors another youth, plants a tree, volunteers during community activities, starts a business, or solves a local problem is already changing the future of our community. Communities are not transformed by speeches alone. They are transformed by people who are willing to turn those speeches into practical service. As young people, we must also reject the dangerous belief that someone else will solve our problems. Development is not imported. It is built by citizens who love their communities enough to sacrifice for them. Every generation is remembered for something. Ours should be remembered as the generation that chose action over apathy, integrity over corruption, collaboration over division, and hope over despair. At Youngen, we believe, the future of Dogoloya will not be determined by the size of its challenges but by the size of its determination. That determination already exists in its young people. To every young person reading this: do not allow anyone to reduce your identity to society's stereotypes. You are more than the labels placed upon your generation. You have ideas that can INSPIRE change, skills that can INFLUENCE opportunities, and a voice that can IMPACT people. Your community does not merely need your presence, it needs your active participation. At YOUNGEN, we believe that every young person carries the potential to INSPIRE, INFLUENCE, and IMPACT society in their own way. The responsibility before us is not simply to inherit the future but to build it. Let us reject the narrative that young people are a burden. Let us demonstrate, through our character, our service, and our leadership, that we are the architects of progress. Because when history is written, communities will not remember those who waited for change. They will remember those who became it. Young people are not the problem. We are the solution.

Community Updates · 7 July 2026

THE ARCHITECT BEHIND OUR WEBSITE

In an era where digital presence shapes perception, communication, and growth, every successful website tells a story, not only of the organization it represents, but also of the visionary behind its creation. For the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOD), that visionary is Alhaji Bakarr Jalloh. Jalloh, being a founding member, has risen through the ranks from being an ordinary member to being appointed as a member of the Organizing Committee in 2025 to being the Public Relations Officer of the Organization since early 2026. He has continued to diligently serve the Organization with an unflinching passion, and commitment to contribute to the development of his community. With a mix of creativity, technical expertise, and a resolute commitment to excellence, Alhaji Bakarr Jalloh brings the organization closer to its long term goal by developing YOD's official website, transforming the organization's aspirations into a dynamic digital platform. His work has provided the organization with more than just an online presence; it has created a digital home where members, supporters, and visitors can connect with the mission, vision, and activities of YOD. The website stands as a mirror of innovation and purpose. Every page, feature, and design element was meticulously crafted to bring alive accessibility, functionality, and an engaging user experience. Through his dedication, YOD now has a platform with a potential of reaching audiences beyond geographical boundaries while effectively communicating its vision and values. What sets Alhaji Bakarr Jalloh is not only his technical ability, but his deep understanding of the power of technology as a tool for community development. He recognizes that a website is not just a thing of code and design, it also bridges people, ideas, and opportunities. By leveraging modern web technologies, he has positioned YOD for greater visibility, engagement, and impact. As the Young Generation of Dogoloya continues to inspire, Influence positivity in young people and bring to life lasting impacts, the website remains one of its most valuable assets. Behind this achievement is a young man whose talent, determination, and innovative mindset continue to make a meaningful IMPACT in our organization, Dogoloya, and beyond. Today, with immense pride, we recognize and celebrate Alhaji Bakarr Jalloh, the architect behind our website, a problem solver, a creative thinker, and a key contributor to YOD's digital journey.

Community Updates · 5 July 2026

Youngen Goes Digital

A new chapter begins for the Young Generation of Dogoloya (YOUNGEN). We are elated to introduce our official website, a modern digital platform designed to connect our community, empower young people, and make information more accessible than ever before. Our official website now serves as the central home of the organization. It provides a platform where members, supporters, partners, and the wider public can learn about who we are, what we stand for, and the impact we continue to make. Visitors can explore our projects and achievements, stay informed about upcoming activities, access important announcements, learn about membership application, and follow our journey as we continue to inspire positive change. It is built with accessibility, transparency, and community engagement in mind reflecting our commitment to creating lasting IMPACT through innovation. 🌐 Visit us today: www.youngenofdogoloya.org⁠ Explore. Connect. Involve.

Community Updates · 1 July 2026

Happy new Month

It's a new month And it's our Anniversary Month! WELCOME TO OUR ANNIVERSARY MONTH