In a rare and historic show of family unity and long-term vision, the Dorley Descendant Foundation Incorporated (DDF) has broken ground for the construction of a modern headquarters, marking what members described as the birth of a new era for organized family legacy-building in Liberia.
The colorful ceremony, held on December 26, 2025, in Vonzon Town, Upper Virginia, brought together sons and daughters of the renowned Dorley family from across Liberia and the Diaspora. However, the project, described as more than a family initiative, is intended to serve as a sustainability platform for generations yet unborn.
Speaking at the event, DDF Acting National Chairman, Amadu M. Dorley, said the foundation is undergoing a comprehensive overhaul—rebranding, restructuring, and recalibrating its mission under a unifying vision dubbed the “One Big Dorley House.” He described the groundbreaking as a long-awaited milestone that reflects renewed commitment to unity, development, and progress.
Upon completion, the DDF Headquarters will host a guest house for family and official engagements, conference facilities, and other dedicated spaces to support the foundation’s expanding activities. Chairman Dorley called on family members, extended relatives, and well-wishers to stand firmly behind the project, assuring that all financial and material contributions will be used strictly for the intended legacy purpose. He also announced reform initiatives within the foundation, including plans to conduct DDF’s first democratic election, which he said would strengthen unity and accountability among members.
The official groundbreaking was performed by Former Historical Chairman Sarliah Blamasee Dorley, who traveled from the United States to participate in the ceremony. Also, the event drew DDF members from the United States, Australia, and Canada, alongside representatives from Dorley-related towns including Dorleyla, Sumo, Blamasee, Barkedou, Glowinda, Kaylamu, Suhen, and Mecca.
The project is being constructed on 2.7 lots of land generously donated by DDF members in Vonzon Town without monetary or material conditions attached, an act widely praised as a symbol of genuine commitment to family heritage.
Adding his voice, Ansu Dulleh, Director of the National Disaster Management Agency, urged the foundation to uphold family traditions, discipline, and cultural respect, noting that these values are essential for sustaining strong family institutions. He demonstrated support by pledging 50 bags of cement and five bundles of zinc, supplementing an earlier donation of 25 bags of cement from Amadu Dulleh.
The groundbreaking fundraising exercise recorded US$1,700 in pledges, while cash contributions totaled US$445 and L$16,750, signaling strong initial backing for the ambitious legacy project. Organizers say the DDF Headquarters stands as a bold statement that Liberian families can intentionally invest in structured, lasting institutions, setting a precedent for collective progress beyond individual generations.
