Alexander Harvey

In 2016, what began as a cross-cultural friendship between a refugee family and a volunteer mentor became the foundation for something much larger than either expected.  Today, that friendship has grown into Equipping Hope International — a nonprofit organization committed to equipping refugees in western Tanzania with the tools they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and faith.

This blog will serve as a quarterly newsletter-style update, sharing not only the progress of our programs in the Nyarugusu refugee camp, but also the stories, challenges, and opportunities that shape our work.  We invite you to join us as we reflect on where we’ve been, share where we’re going, and celebrate what God is doing in a place the world rarely sees.

But first, we want to share how this journey began.

From Kigoma to Carolina: Augustine’s Story

Augustine Mutabesha was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and arrived at the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp as a teenager, located in the Kigoma region of western Tanzania.  Nyarugusu is one of the largest and longest-standing refugee camps in the world, established in 1996 to house people fleeing civil war and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and later Burundi.  Augustine spent many years in the camp, where resources were limited, movement was restricted, and opportunity was often out of reach.

But in 2018, everything changed when Augustine and his family were resettled to the United States through World Relief, a Christian organization that partners with churches and communities to support refugees and immigrants during their transition.  The Mutabesha family arrived in South Carolina with hope, resilience, and a desire to make the most of their new beginning.

Enter Alexander: A Good Neighbor with a Heart for Service

When Augustine’s family landed in South Carolina, Alexander Harvey volunteered to serve on a World Relief Good Neighbor Team, a volunteer initiative through his local church.  These teams walk alongside newly arrived families, offering transportation, mentorship, and friendship during the critical first months of resettlement.

Alexander was paired with the Mutabesha family and quickly discovered that, although he didn’t speak Swahili, his high school French allowed him to communicate with parents and children.  That small connection turned into hours spent navigating services, attending appointments, and helping the family adjust to life in a new country.

What started as a formal volunteer match soon became a genuine friendship.

A Vision Sparked by Shared Experience

Not long after their arrival, Augustine and Alexander began having deeper conversations.  Augustine shared stories of what life had been like back in Nyarugusu.

He also shared the uncomfortable truth that, for many refugees, resettlement may never come.  While Augustine’s family had the opportunity to start fresh in America, thousands of others remained in the camp with little agency over their own lives.

Together, Alexander and Augustine began asking:

        • What could we do to give people still in the camp more opportunity?
        • How could we honor the resilience and resourcefulness we saw in Nyarugusu’s residents?
        • Could we build something sustainable, rooted in both faith and practical help?

Equipping Hope International Is Born

In late 2018, with prayer, planning, and support from local partners, Equipping Hope International was founded.

Our mission is simple but bold: to equip victims of war and disaster with the tools to reconstruct their lives and attain economic self-sufficiency.  While many organizations provide short-term relief, we believe the next step is just as critical — offering education, vocational training, and spiritual encouragement so that refugees can live with dignity and purpose, no matter where they are.

Our pilot site is the place where Augustine came from: Nyarugusu Refugee Camp.  Today, more than 150,000 refugees call it home. Though the challenges are complex, the opportunity for transformation is real.

Our Philosophy: More Than a Meal

Emergency aid saves lives, and we are grateful for the many agencies that provide food, water, and shelter.  But at Equipping Hope, we believe in going further. We aim to be more than a stopgap.  We believe in making fishermen, not just handing out fish.

That’s why our early programs focus on:

        • Teaching Hope: Providing English language education to increase access to schooling, employment, and global connection.
        • Business of Hope: Offering vocational training and small business support, starting with tailoring apprenticeships for women and vulnerable adults.

These programs don’t just deliver services. They build skills, confidence, and community.  And importantly, they are led by refugees for refugees, with respect for local context and culture.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect from the Blog

As we begin this blog in 2019, we want it to be more than just an update log. Each quarter, you can expect:

        • Behind-the-scenes stories from our work in the field
        • Challenges and lessons we’re learning as a growing organization
        • Prayer requests and ways to get involved
        • Program metrics and financial updates

Whether you’re a friend, donor, church partner, or someone newly curious about the refugee crisis in Africa, we hope this blog gives you a deeper sense of how God is moving in places that often go unseen.

Join Us at the Beginning

Equipping Hope International is still in its early stages, but the need is great and the vision is clear.  We are deeply grateful for every person who has walked alongside us so far.

We believe that hope can be built, one skill at a time.  That dignity can grow in even the hardest places.  And that faith, when paired with action, can transform lives in powerful and practical ways.

To learn more about our mission, visit equippinghope.org

To support our work with a one-time or recurring gift, click here to donate.

With gratitude,

 

Augustine Mutabesha & Alexander Harvey
Co-Founders, Equipping Hope International