The Europe-based non-governmental organization (NGO), Arise From Ashes, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded by a Liberian, has expanded its humanitarian intervention in Liberia by integrating drug rehabilitation, youth empowerment, and social support for disadvantaged young people, particularly those residing at the Liberia Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) Camp in Johnsonville Township.
Speaking during a donation ceremony organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS), the Founder and Executive Director of Arise From Ashes, Emily Easkine, highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting vulnerable youths affected by substance abuse and social exclusion.
Easkine disclosed that the organization began its engagement with drug-affected youths in 2022 in Maryland County.
She explained that initial outreach efforts were challenging due to fear and limited access, until the team discovered that many of the youths were residing near a ghetto close to former President William V. S. Tubman’s Palace.
“Through a community member who understood our mission, we were introduced to the youths. That engagement marked our first direct interaction with disadvantaged young people,” Easkine noted. “We started with five youths and gradually expanded our support to fifteen.”
She further explained that participation in the program requires beneficiaries to undergo structured therapy.
Those who successfully complete the rehabilitation process are supported to return to school, while individuals who have completed high school are enrolled in vocational and technical training programs aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Easkine also commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Say No to Drugs” campaign, noting that Arise From Ashes actively supports the initiative.
She added that the organization was the first to officially launch the campaign in Maryland County in partnership with the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
“We currently have approximately thirty individuals undergoing therapy. Several have successfully completed the program and are now reintegrated into society and back in school,” she disclosed.
To further strengthen recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse, Arise From Ashes has partnered with the NGO Wave for Change to incorporate sports, surfing, and mental meditation into its rehabilitation approach.
Delegation member Magalie Nyemade Leclercq explained that the intervention is tailored on a case-by-case basis, depending on the substance used, and is designed to keep participants engaged while fostering discipline, resilience, and life skills.
As part of its humanitarian outreach, Arise From Ashes donated ten 25-kilogram bags of rice, two footballs, and sets of jerseys to disadvantaged youths at the LRRRC Camp.
The donation is intended to support both the nutritional and recreational needs of the beneficiaries.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health, and the LRRRC, Dr. Izetta Sheriff, Psychiatrist and Coordinator at the LRRRC Center, expressed appreciation to Arise From Ashes, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.
“When you see where these youths are coming from and the transformation they have undergone, it is clear that change is both real and achievable,” Dr. Sheriff stated.
She further noted that the Government of Liberia, through multi-sectoral committees, the Ministry of Health, and other partners, remains committed to supporting rehabilitation initiatives aimed at building a healthier and more productive society.
Camp administrators and beneficiaries also welcomed the donation, emphasizing that the sports materials will encourage physical activity and teamwork, while the food items will help supplement limited resources.
Arise From Ashes has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining humanitarian and rehabilitation programs in Liberia, with a continued focus on drug prevention, youth empowerment, and social reintegration as part of its contribution to national development.
