Alexander Harvey

Every movement begins with a story.  And for Equipping Hope International, that story begins with Augustine Mutabesha, a former refugee who turned his experience into a mission to equip others.

Augustine is not only a cofounder of Equipping Hope.  He is its heartbeat.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustine fled his home due to conflict, tragedy, and violence, eventually arriving in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Tanzania.  He would spend more than 20 years there, raising his family in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.

His wife, Ngana, entered the camp at just 8 years old.  Like so many others, she grew up in a place not meant to be permanent.  Together, Augustine and Ngana lived the daily reality of life in Nyarugusu navigating ration lines, limited schooling, restricted movement, and the long uncertainty of resettlement.

After two decades in Tanzania, Augustine and his family were resettled in the United States through World Relief, landing in South Carolina.  That transition would change his life  and through him, the lives of many others.

From Resettlement to Renewal

When Augustine arrived in South Carolina, his first connection was with Alexander Harvey, a local church volunteer on World Relief’s Good Neighbor Team.  The two formed a deep friendship.  Together, they navigated appointments, paperwork, school enrollment, and cultural transitions.

But even as Augustine began his new life in the U.S., his heart remained with those left behind.

He spoke often about the people still in Nyarugusu.  Those with no way out, no access to education, no hope of outside employment.  Those stuck in circumstances beyond their control.  He and Alexander began to ask a question that would soon become a calling: What if we could do something to help them where they are?

That question led to the founding of Equipping Hope International in 2018.

A Life of Leadership

Today, Augustine is a leader not only in his family, but across two continents.  Augustine arrived in the U.S. already having obtained his M.B.A. degree.  He graduated with a Master’s in Business Analytics from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2021.  He and Ngana are raising five children in South Carolina, while continuing to lead and shape Equipping Hope’s programs in Tanzania.  As a cofounder, Augustine brings cultural wisdom, spiritual clarity, and lived experience to every decision the organization makes.

His role includes:

        • Coordinating with refugee leaders and educators in Nyarugusu
        • Advising on curriculum, program structure, and local implementation
        • Ensuring the organization remains grounded in dignity and gospel truth
        • Serving as a voice for long-term refugees in U.S.-based conversations

He also works in ministry and community development locally, continuing to serve refugee families who have recently arrived in the U.S.  He is the co-pastor of Neema Kiswahilli Baptist Church, a Swahili-speaking church of nearly 200 members.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” — Psalm 9:9

Augustine’s life is living proof of that truth — and he’s dedicated to being that same refuge for others.

A Mission That’s Personal

When we talk about educational programs in refugee camps or vocational programs in Tanzania, we’re not speaking in abstracts.  We’re speaking about people Augustine has lived alongside.  He knows their names.  He knows their families.  Their children.  He remembers the hunger.  He understands the weight of waiting.

That’s why Equipping Hope doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions.  We listen first.  We build relationships.  We start small and grow deep.

And that posture of humility, faith, and presence comes largely from Augustine’s leadership.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for future programs like Seeds of Hope and a permanent educational center in Nyarugusu, Augustine’s voice remains central. He reminds us that refugees are not problems to solve, but people to equip, each with their own capacity to lead, grow, and flourish.

It’s a vision that began in a dusty camp in western Tanzania.  And thanks to Augustine’s faithfulness, that vision is still growing.

With deep gratitude,


The Equipping Hope Team