In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Protais Muhirwa, the Founder and Foundation Director of ARMIA Healing the Incurables, embarked on his path to success in the field of community empowerment and refugee support. Join us as Protais shares his experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided him along the way. Discover what sets ARMIA Healing the Incurables apart from other organizations, how Protais navigated the unique challenges facing marginalized communities, and his vision for a more inclusive future. Get ready to be inspired by Protais’s journey as a transformational leader and his relentless pursuit of sustainable integration and empowerment for all.
Founding Vision and Motivation Behind ARMIA
Protais Muhirwa founded ARMIA (Active Refugee & Migrant Integration in Australia), now known as ARMIA Healing the Incurables, on January 26, 2015, in Sunnybank, Queensland, driven by a deep calling to serve marginalized communities who continue to struggle despite years of residence in Australia, and billions spent on settlement programs. Inspired by the profound transformations he witnessed during his leadership at Misericordia International Centre in South Africa—where thousands of hopeless refugees became successful professionals—Protais sought to replicate and expand such impact in Australia. Guided by the ethos of St Mary MacKillop’s motto, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” he envisioned an organization that would holistically address challenges such as chronic unemployment, underemployment, social isolation, and lack of cultural integration among long-settled refugees and migrants. His motivation stemmed from a belief in empowering individuals not just to survive, but to thrive, integrate, and meaningfully contribute to society.
Leadership Approach and Community Impact
As the Foundation Director of ARMIA House, Protais Muhirwa leads with a compassionate, strategic, and highly engaged “horizontal” leadership style. He champions a person-centered and community-first approach, emphasizing inclusion, empowerment, and self-reliance. Under his leadership, ARMIA has grown into a Multicultural Family Support Hub, offering essential support services for individuals and families beyond the five-year government settlement program. With a team of over 70 highly skilled and multicultural professionals, Protais has built a resilient and dynamic infrastructure equipped with training rooms, office facilities, and a strong volunteer network. His leadership not only uplifts individuals but inspires collective growth, bridging the gap between government support and actual integration into Australian life. Protais believes that fit men and women should be empowered to feed themselves and own families.
ARMIA’s Inclusive Expansion and Vision for Broader Support
Since 2018, Protais has expanded ARMIA’s reach to include support for disadvantaged mainstream and Indigenous Australians, the elderly, people with disabilities, and socially isolated individuals. This extension was born from his recognition of the interconnected challenges that cut across community lines, necessitating an inclusive and participative integration model. With programs such as L’Oasis, a community café aimed at combatting chronic unemployment and social disconnection, ARMIA fosters an environment of dignity and connection. Protais’s vision is rooted in building a society where no individual feels left behind and where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background. He believes that putting together New Australians with other disadvantaged people is also a practical way to combat or prevent racism and xenophobia, as well as a strategy to promote a rapid integration and multicultural interactions.
Innovative Employment and Empowerment Strategies
Under Protais’s direction, ARMIA has developed collaborative, sustainable strategies to tackle unemployment and underemployment at their root. ARMIA has a very experienced employment coordinator who does everything they can to ensure everyone needing a job gets one at the end of very horizontal, ground based and person-centred, culturally appropriate training. The organization’s integrated model supports individuals in securing and retaining employment through a combination of professional training, mentorship, and follow-up support that can extend up to six months. By addressing cultural and language barriers, the employment coordinator ensures both employers and employees are supported for long-term satisfaction and success. ARMIA also delivers holistic drop-in services that cater to family, individual, and community needs, covering areas such as education, mental health, entrepreneurship, and housing. This employment strategy stands as a core pillar of ARMIA’s mission to move individuals from dependency to economic participation.
Addressing Complex Post-Settlement Challenges
Protais Muhirwa understands that challenges persist well beyond the initial resettlement phase for refugees and migrants. Through ARMIA’s diverse programs, they address chronic issues like cultural disconnection, elderly isolation, unemployment, and social tension. ARMIA supports over 100–150 clients weekly, offering them access to mental health services, business development assistance, language training, and more. These efforts not only prevent crises such as domestic violence, mental health and homelessness but also practically and sustainably reduce risks of youth crime and radicalization. That is a fact as ARMIA have been doing just that for the last ten years. Protais’s commitment to long-term integration reflects his deep understanding that true inclusion is an ongoing process requiring sustained, hands-on support.
Dedication to Accountability and Service Excellence
Protais ensures that ARMIA operates with the highest levels of integrity and accountability. The organization is a registered charity with Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status and holds DGR designation, offering tax benefits for supporters. Its programs are strategically overseen by a Management Committee and Advisory Committee that regularly evaluate effectiveness and alignment with community needs. Protais leads a multidisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers that includes social workers, psychologists, educators, and counsellors, who work collaboratively to deliver culturally appropriate and impactful services. His leadership upholds excellence in service delivery, with a deep commitment to empowering communities with compassion and dignity.
ARMIA’s Unique Competitive Edge in Community Empowerment
What sets ARMIA apart, under the visionary leadership of Protais Muhirwa, is its multifaceted, culturally appropriate, holistic and person-centered support system that not only addresses immediate needs but builds sustainable futures. With a team of professionals whose experience spans up to five decades in fields such as education, medicine, engineering, and mental health, ARMIA Community Development Model is uniquely equipped to break down cultural stigmas and barriers to service access. Its strong ties to CALD communities and strategic partnerships with institutions including the Catholic Church, government agencies, and local universities give it an unmatched capacity to deliver meaningful and relevant support. ARMIA’s physical location in a community hub and its reputation for treating every visitor with dignity make it a sanctuary of hope and healing.
Sustainable Growth and a Future-Oriented Vision
Despite the lack of consistent funding, Protais Muhirwa has positioned ARMIA for long-term sustainability through strategic investments in social enterprise. He understood that government funding is hard to get and easy to lose, hence community organisations should also fight to become financially independent to ensure their services continue once they have lost that government funding, if they had one. His vision for ARMIA is to evolve into a 24/7 global resource that welcomes individuals with diverse and complex needs at any hour. By combining innovation with compassion, he plans to retain a highly skilled workforce and offer ongoing training and wellness programs for staff. ARMIA’s future is rooted in adaptability, community trust, and a commitment to expand its reach beyond Queensland to empower vulnerable populations across Australia and globally. Protais’s model ensures that every service delivered contributes to lasting transformation, making ARMIA a leader in post-settlement integration and empowerment.
In conclusion, Protais Muhirwa’s journey as the Founding Director of ARMIA House exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, empathy, and resilience. From his early work in South Africa to his groundbreaking initiatives in Australia, Protais has remained steadfast in his mission to empower marginalized communities and foster inclusive, sustainable integration. His leadership has transformed ARMIA into a beacon of hope and practical support for countless individuals and families who have long been overlooked. Through a unique blend of cultural sensitivity, strategic partnerships, and holistic programming, Protais continues to shape a future where everyone—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
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