Pa Sorie Kargbo Foundation is a community-based organization that provides micro credit or small loans to people living in Bumbuna (Map of Bumbuna), Tonkolili District, in the Republic of Sierra Leone (Map of Sierra Leone). The Foundation was established in October 2006 and has provided loans to over 300 beneficiaries. The Foundation promotes and helps sustained a culture of learning among school children living in Bumbuna. The education project is designed to support deserving students whose families cannot afford to pay the rising cost of education in Sierra Leone and to provide opportunities to these disadvantage students to reach their dreams and their full potential. With little or no education and a family to support, many of these people work hard to feed their children. The Foundation does not only create financial opportunities but also help beneficiaries build up small sustainable businesses and make brighter future for their children. The Foundation provides wide range of services to its members including micro credit, scholarship program and financial literacy outreach. Pa Sorie Kargbo Foundation has awarded over 100 scholarships to secondary school students in Bumbuna.
The foundation was born out of a strong desire to improve the socio-economic status of the people of Bumbuna, Kalansogoia, Chiefdom, Tonkolili District. The foundation was inspired by the vision and life work of the late Pa Sorie Kargbo, who demonstrated that education, hard work, discipline, and love for family and community, are active ingredients for a successful life. Even though Pa Sorie Kargbo never attended school he had an extraordinary love and unwavering dedication to education. He showed a remarkable sense of generosity and emotional attachment with the people of Bumbuna and surrounding villages. The founder and all of the Kargbo family (including Mr. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, Dr. Brima Kargbo, Rugiatu Kargbo, Zainab Brima, Amara Kargbo, Salimatu Kargbo, Ramatu Sheriff, Osayin Kargbo, Amadu Kargbo, Pa Brima Kargbo, Woteh, Hawa,Yama, Alimany, etc, etc.) are very proud and grateful for his love, devotion and inspiration. Late Pa Sorie Kargbo was actively involved in the day to day activities of the people of Bumbuna until his death in March 1991. Through this foundation, we dedicate ourselves to the noble cause of economic empowerment and social stability for the people of Bumbuna and Kalansogoia chiefdom. Our mission is selfless; our motive is pure; and our focus is sharp. Working on the side of the people, our only option is SUCCESS. The project has its own ground rules that are been reviewed by the Loan Review Committee which consists of 5 members. In order to keep our focus on the target clients (the poor), we have stipulated for now that our average loan size cannot exceed Le2,000, 000 ($500). Any increase in average loan size will trigger a review by the Loan Review Committee.