Alexander Harvey

In the heart of western Tanzania, within the borders of the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, thousands of individuals live a life marked by resilience, resourcefulness, and quiet perseverance.  Many have spent years—and some, decades—within the camp’s limits after fleeing war, unrest, and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

And while basic needs like food and shelter are met by humanitarian agencies, there is a quiet but urgent need that too often goes unnoticed: the need for language.

At Equipping Hope International, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for restoring dignity.  And in a refugee setting, few educational programs are as life-changing as the ability to speak English.

Why English Matters in Refugee Communities

For many refugees in Nyarugusu, English is more than a subject—it is a lifeline.

Tanzania is primarily Swahili-speaking, but English is widely used in education, business, and government.  For refugees who come from French-speaking countries like the DRC, this creates a language barrier that blocks opportunity on nearly every front.

Without English, it is difficult to:

        • Enroll in Tanzanian or international secondary schools

        • Pursue university or scholarship opportunities abroad

        • Apply for legal employment or vocational programs

        • Participate in community development or leadership training

        • Navigate resettlement and integration processes in English-speaking countries

Whether a refugee remains in Tanzania or is eventually resettled in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K., English often determines whether they are able to move forward or remain stuck in cycles of dependency.

Teaching Hope: A Program Born from Listening

Equipping Hope International launched Teaching Hope in 2018 after listening to current and former refugees describe their experiences.  Again and again, one word emerged: education.

Last year, we hired six English-speaking refugees to lead the first semester of classes.  Over 350 students signed up—more than we imagined.

The hunger for learning was undeniable.  These students came not only with notebooks, but with purpose.  Many were young adults hoping to re-enter school.  Others were parents hoping to help their children navigate a future in an unfamiliar language.  All of them saw English as a gateway.

We are now in our second cohort of another 300+ refugees who are enrolled in Basic English classes, with our first cohort of refugee students in Intermediate English classes.  They will soon move on to Advanced English classes.

Learning in the Midst of Hardship

Life in the Nyarugusu camp is not easy.  Refugees face daily challenges: limited food, poor sanitation, unreliable electricity, and constant uncertainty about the future.  Yet students in Teaching Hope still show up, carving out time between household chores, caring for younger siblings, or selling small goods in the camp market.

They come because they believe in something more.
They come because they want to learn.
They come because, even in a hard place, hope grows through language.

Our classrooms are not high-tech.  They don’t have whiteboards or internet access.  But they are full of life.  Students read aloud, practice pronunciation, work in groups, and share their stories.  They read the Gospel for themselves.  Teachers, who are refugees themselves, invest in their learners with compassion and commitment.

Why English Education Aligns with Our Mission

Equipping Hope International is a Christian nonprofit in Tanzania with a long-term vision: not just to provide emergency relief, but to help people rebuild their lives with purpose.  We believe in equipping—not just feeding.  Empowering—not just aiding.

Language education aligns deeply with our mission because it does three things:

1. It Affirms Human Dignity

Every person deserves the chance to learn, to grow, and to reach their God-given potential.  Offering English classes communicates that refugees are not forgotten, and that their future still matters.

2. It Builds Practical Pathways

Unlike theoretical aid, English training has direct application.  Students can apply for further schooling, interact with aid workers, or begin small business ventures with greater ease.  It’s a tool for self-sufficiency.

3. It Opens Doors for Discipleship

As a Gospel-rooted organization, we believe that spiritual growth must be accompanied by real-world empowerment.  Teaching Hope builds relationships and trust, creating natural opportunities for faith-sharing and discipleship through the way we serve.

How English Leads to Employment

In Nyarugusu, formal employment is largely prohibited by law.  But informal business thrives, and knowing English can make a difference.

English-speaking refugees are better able to:

        • Interact with aid workers, buyers, and program leaders

        • Translate and interpret in exchange for income

        • Understand product labels, contracts, or customer instructions

        • Train others and build community initiatives

When paired with vocational programs in refugee camps, like our Business of Hope tailoring apprenticeships, English becomes a multiplier, expanding opportunity and reach.

Looking Ahead: Dreams Beyond the Camp

Many of our students still dream of returning home or being resettled in a third country.  For those who are accepted for resettlement, English is often the most important skill they carry with them.

It allows them to:

        • Navigate immigration and resettlement processes

        • Enroll in public schools or workforce programs abroad with greater ease

        • Communicate with caseworkers and social service providers

        • Share their stories with dignity and clarity

Learning English in the camp doesn’t just serve today’s need, it prepares students for whatever future God may open for them.

How You Can Help Open More Doors

Teaching Hope is possible because people like you believe in the power of education and faith to change lives.

Here’s how you can help us reach more students:

        • Give: Just $30/month can help fund a semester of English classes for one student

        • Pray: Ask God to equip our teachers and open students’ hearts to both language and the Gospel

        • Share: Help us spread the word about how English is changing lives in Nyarugusu

        • Partner: If your church, school, or organization supports educational or faith-based missions, let’s talk

Every student who enters our classroom carries with them the weight of the past and the potential of the future. You can be part of what makes that future brighter.

Final Word: Hope Sounds Like a New Language

In a place where many things feel out of reach, English is one way hope becomes tangible.  A new phrase.  A sentence spoken with confidence.  A conversation where silence used to be.

This is the work we’re honored to do.  Not alone, but with the support of a community that believes in equipping others the way Christ has equipped us with patience, love, and purpose.

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” – Psalm 119:130

Let’s keep unfolding those words together.

Ready to open more doors through English education?
Visit equippinghope.org to learn how you can support Teaching Hope today.

Keywords: Christian nonprofit Tanzania, educational programs in refugee camps, vocational programs in refugee camps