Named Abu Bockarie Kargbo at birth and later changed by the British army to Abu Bockarie Farandugu (the name of his village), Pa Farandugu was a highly decorated soldier who fought in WWII on the side of the British and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) the equivalent of Sergeant Major in the US Army. Upon returning from war and unable to gain employment because of his lack of education, he encouraged his village to start a school to educate all children including girls. It was met with opposition, so he left his village in the North and went to the Southern part of the country where he enrolled all his children in school. He later moved back to the North.
Kumba Kargbo, born to Muslim parents, was given a unique opportunity by her father, Pa Frandugu, who, despite his beliefs, chose to enroll her in Christian schools. That decision opened a world of inspiration for Kumba. While in elementary school, she discovered a story from the Bible about a woman who dedicated her life to helping the poor. This profound lesson inspired Kumba to adopt the name Dorcas, symbolizing her newfound mission. Thanks to her father's forward-thinking vision, Dorcas began her educational journey in Kabala after their return to the North. She subsequently attended the Harford School for Girls in Moyamba, where her determination to gain knowledge and skills ignited. Pa Frandugu aspired for each of his children to make a difference in the world, and Dorcas was resolute in fulfilling that dream.
Sarah Marah, known as Nar Sarah, was the first wife of Pa Farandugu and a hardworking Muslim Koranko woman. Although she never received a formal education, she was determined to provide for her children through her small peanut farming efforts. Her nephew served as chief, which gave him and the other male members of the family automatic claims to land, while Nar Sarah and other women had to be granted permission. In 1966, while returning home from Haford, Dorcas and her mother visited her nephew, Chief Balansama Marah to request land for Nar Sarah to farm. They expressed the hope that this land could eventually be used to establish a clinic. The chief agreed to their request, and that land would later become the site of the NarSarah clinic.
Following their wedding in Colorado in June 1965, Hope and Les Law traveled to Sierra Leone in August, where they worked at the Harford School. It was here that they met many inspiring students, including Dorcas. The Laws were deeply impressed by Dorcas's ambition to establish a clinic in her hometown, demonstrating a passion for healthcare from a young age. After her graduation, with the blessing of Pa Farandugu and Nar Sarah, the Laws extended an invitation for Dorcas to join them in the United States. Seizing this opportunity, she pursued both her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. Along her journey, she met and married Daniel Kamanda, a fellow Sierra Leonean who was advancing his education with a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.
Following several visits to Sierra Leone, especially in the wake of the devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002, Dorcas realized the urgent need for healthcare services. In 2003, she joined forces with the Laws and several others to establish a non-profit organization in the United States aimed at creating a sustainable clinic in Kabala. The journey began in the humble setting of Nar Sarah's kitchen, overseen by Dorcas's dedicated siblings, Peacemaker and Teresa Kargbo. Through determination and hard work, the clinic progressed from a small three-room facility to an impressive ten-room center, now boasting 13 hospital beds and employing 15 to 20 passionate staff members.
Although the initial focus was on healthcare, it became evident that poverty has many facets, including education, nutrition, clean water, and entrepreneurship. To address these issues, additional projects were introduced, such as educational scholarships, agricultural initiatives, and access to clean water, aimed at providing essential services to the community.
During the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014, the staff at NarSarah Clinic collaborated with local and government officials to provide training and education in the community and in surrounding villages. Access to these areas was often only possible by foot or motorcycle.
In 2011, eight years after it was launched, NarSarah Clinic received the Marie Stopes Award for excellence in healthcare.