In an increasingly interconnected and troubled world, fostering inclusive communities and empowering marginalized groups has never been more crucial. The efforts of visionary leaders who dedicate themselves to this mission are shaping a future where diversity and integration thrive. Protais Muhirwa is a distinguished community development leader, cultural awareness expert, and visionary founder of ARMIA (Active Refugee & Migrant Integration in Australia), currently ARMIA Healing the Incurables. With over two decades of dedicated service in community development, he has a proven track record of transforming lives and fostering sustainable integration for marginalized groups.
Protais holds a Master of Science degree from Tashkent University and has completed advanced courses in Human Resource Management and International Issues in Community Development at the University of Queensland (UQ). His expertise spans change management, team motivation and development, strategic framework creation, business planning, and policy implementation.
Before founding ARMIA, Protais led Misericordia International Centre in South Africa, a transformative organization that empowered thousands of hopeless refugees and migrants to integrate into their new environments. The center helped individuals from diverse backgrounds become successful professionals in fields such as medicine, law, business, academia, and politics, with many now thriving in Australia, Africa, Europe, and America.
Inspired by the human transformations he witnessed, Protais established ARMIA on the 26th of January 2015 (Australia Day) in Sunnybank, Queensland. ARMIA addresses the multidimensional challenges faced by refugees and migrants who, despite being in Australia for over five years, struggle to integrate into society. Through a team of 70 highly qualified volunteers and multicultural professionals, ARMIA combats chronic unemployment, underemployment, and social isolation while fostering socio-economic participation and personal empowerment.
Protais is deeply committed to countering the paradox where skilled and capable individuals endlessly remain on welfare, exacerbating mental health issues, family conflicts, and social challenges. He envisions a future where empowered individuals transition from dependency to pride, contributing meaningfully to Australian society.
Protais’s unwavering dedication to fostering inclusion and empowerment exemplifies his belief in the transformative power of opportunity and support for all. His leadership at ARMIA continues to inspire hope and drive positive change for refugees, migrants, and the broader Australian community.
Founding Visionary of ARMIA
Guided by St Mary MacKillop’s motto “Never see a need without doing something about it”, Protais Muhirwa is the visionary Founding Director of ARMIA, a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering refugees and migrants. Established in 2015 in Sunnybank, Queensland, ARMIA addresses critical challenges of social isolation, cultural integration, and employment faced by CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) and refugee communities in Australia.
Under Protais’s leadership, ARMIA has become a vital Multicultural Family Support Hub for individuals and families who have surpassed the five-year Australian Government settlement program but continue to struggle with integration. The organization holistically bridges gaps for those who face barriers such as education, employment, mental health, and cultural adaptation, preventing endless welfare dependency and fostering opportunities for workforce participation and entrepreneurship.
ARMIA’s infrastructure and network are a testament to Protais’s commitment to community empowerment. With a fully funded property, training rooms, office equipment, and the support of a large and expandable team of dedicated volunteers and professionals that are highly qualified, experienced and multiculturally competent, ARMIA collaborates with business professionals, community supporters, and stakeholder agencies to deliver holistic, person-centered transformative programs.
Expanding its Mission, ARMIA has announced plans to support the least advantaged mainstream and Indigenous Australians from 2018 onward, further promoting interactive and participative integration within the broader society. This inclusive approach highlights Protais’s vision of building cohesive and empowered communities where every individual is acknowledged and valued.
Protais’s work at ARMIA exemplifies leadership that addresses systemic barriers while inspiring meaningful change. His efforts are a beacon of hope for those striving to find their place in Australian society.
Including Mainstream and Indigenous Communities
ARMIA’s Mission, as a Multicultural Family Support Hub in Southeast Queensland, is to holistically empower New Australians—refugees and migrants who are no longer part of the Australian Government’s settlement program—to integrate into the workforce or business community and become valued members of Australian society. ARMIA’s holistic approach focuses on specialized education, training, and employment outcomes, thereby contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the Nation. Since 2018/19, ARMIA has expanded its services to support all disadvantaged individuals, including mainstream and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities (NDIS), the elderly (In-Home Care), as well as L’ Oasis, a community café aimed at combating social isolation and chronic unemployment.
Operating from ARMIA House at 140 Mains Road, Sunnybank—thanks to the support of the Sunnybank OLOL Parish and the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese—ARMIA collaborates with numerous like-minded partners. Despite being a relatively new organization, ARMIA has successfully trialed its Community Development Model over its first four years, largely without external funding. This success has been driven by the social enterprising and dedication and generosity of a growing group of volunteers and benefactors.
ARMIA addresses a growing yet often unrecognized need, as many post-settlement refugees and migrants struggle to integrate into the broader Australian community and lack opportunities to contribute to a secure, prosperous future. By serving as a bridge between New Australians, Federal and State Government agencies, and other external stakeholders, ARMIA helps facilitate meaningful connections and support.
Symbolized as a welcoming Tree, ARMIA embraces individuals with diverse and often complex needs. Over the past ten years, ARMIA House has assisted 100–150 clients weekly, offering free short-term support and creating a safe, inclusive space for empowerment and integration, guided by the Chinese proverb “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.“
Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Employment
ARMIA’s fully integrated organizational structure is designed to empower individuals, particularly men and women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, but also others at risk of long-term unemployment. The goal is to holistically help them find and retain employment by addressing the root causes of unemployment and underemployment, reducing barriers for those currently unemployed, and supporting their continued employment to prevent long-term welfare dependency. ARMIA achieves this through participative, ground-based strategies that include professional training tailored to individual needs. The organization works closely with both employers and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) employees for up to six months, addressing potential barriers such as language and cultural differences to ensure mutual satisfaction.
Operating as a drop-in center with a holistic approach, ARMIA addresses individual, family, and community needs. It serves as an active bridge between CALD communities, the government, service providers, and other stakeholders. Since its establishment in early 2015, ARMIA has developed structured programs to reduce social isolation, enhance cultural integration, and promote employment within Australian refugee and CALD communities.
ARMIA’s programs encompass five key areas: Community Engagement, Life Skills Training, Health and Wellbeing, Education, and Business Initiatives. These programs include a range of activities, such as culturally appropriate mental health support, computer skills training, business language development, entrepreneurship support, career and resume assistance, engagement with further education institutions, affordable housing (especially for single mothers and widows), financial management, and fostering interdependence. These group activities also provide opportunities for secondary group therapy and capacity building.
A significant focus is placed on individuals who have not integrated into Australian society, even after completing the 5-year government resettlement program. This includes addressing social isolation among CALD elderly individuals, who often struggle to navigate basic tasks or access mainstream aged care services, particularly when their children move away. Additionally, ARMIA tackles unemployment and underemployment, which can lead to financial stress, mental and physical health issues, and amplified cultural differences. These challenges often escalate into social issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, youth homelessness, crime, and even exposure to radicalism.
ARMIA’s Mission is to empower individuals to transition from welfare dependency to workforce participation or entrepreneurship. Through its holistic and targeted efforts, ARMIA aspires to create lasting change for the most vulnerable in the community.
Commitment to Accountability and Excellence
ARMIA offers a wide array of services tailored to meet the varied needs of its clients. From counseling and education to life skills and vocational training, community engagement, employment and entrepreneurship support, and housing assistance, ARMIA addresses multiple facets of well-being. The organization’s mission goes beyond immediate support, empowering clients to achieve lasting self-reliance and integration into the broader community.
ARMIA operates as a registered charity and not-for-profit organization with several key certifications, including:
- Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status
- Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 designation for tax-deductible donations
- Income tax exemption, GST concessions, and FBT exemptions
- Access to Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) free interpretation services
These accreditations reflect ARMIA’s commitment to accountability and excellence in service delivery.
Guided by a dedicated Management Committee that meets monthly to plan and evaluate activities, ARMIA ensures its programs remain effective and responsive. An Advisory Committee provides strategic oversight, ensuring alignment with community needs and long-term goals.
ARMIA’s multidisciplinary and multicultural team includes professionals such as psychologists, counselors, social workers, and teachers, as well as a robust network of volunteers. This team’s diverse expertise enables ARMIA to deliver comprehensive, culturally sensitive support that resonates deeply with the communities it serves.
At its core, ARMIA is more than a service provider—it’s a catalyst for community resilience and growth. By combining professional expertise with a genuine passion for helping others, ARMIA continues to make a profound and sustainable impact, creating pathways to opportunity, inclusion, and hope for all.
A Competitive Advantage
ARMIA’s approach is defined by its model and its commitment to individualized, multifaceted support. ARMIA’s Key Strengths are:
- Comprehensive Holistic Support: ARMIA goes beyond traditional welfare services by integrating cultural, social, emotional, and practical needs into its support programs. By addressing all aspects of a client’s journey, the organization ensures sustainable and impactful outcomes. ARMIA patiently and professionally deal with the root causes, with a person-centered approach, to propose practical and sustainable solutions.
- Expert and Multidisciplinary Team: The organization’s secular, professionally qualified, and multicultural team is a cornerstone of its success. Volunteers and professionals bring up to 50+ years of diverse experience in fields such as psychology, counselling, social work, medicine, engineering, education, and more. This depth of expertise is particularly significant in overcoming cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and family counselling, ensuring CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) individuals and families feel supported in accessing necessary services.
- Community Connections: ARMIA’s strong ties to various CALD communities across the region and state allow it to provide culturally sensitive and tailored support. This connection fosters trust and ensures programs resonate with the unique real needs of those they serve.
- Strategic Partnerships: The organization collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Catholic Church, State and Federal Government, various community organizations, universities, TAFE Brisbane, mosques, temples, and more. These partnerships expand ARMIA’s reach and deepen its ability to deliver meaningful programs and opportunities.
- Prime Location and Accessibility: Situated in the heart of residential areas populated by refugees and migrants, ARMIA’s physical location is easily accessible via reliable transport options. This proximity makes it a natural hub for the community.
- Warm and Welcoming Approach: ARMIA’s volunteers and staff prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment where clients feel valued and supported. Every client and visitor to the ARMIA House are treated as king or queen, prince or princess. This personalized and empathetic approach is critical to building trust and fostering long-term relationships.
- Economic Participation and Enterprise: In addition to welfare and employment support, ARMIA encourages economic sustainability by empowering individuals and families to engage in business enterprises. This focus promotes self-reliance and broader community participation. In ten years ARMIA has directly or indirectly put thousands of men and women into employment, and enabled hundreds of others to start own businesses where they employ fellow Australians.
- Addressing Service Gaps in Post-Settlement: ARMIA is dedicated to expanding its activities to bridge critical gaps in service provision, employment, and integration for post-settlement refugees and migrants. The organization’s Vision includes extending its impact beyond Queensland, dependent on available funding.
- Sustainable Growth Through Social Enterprise: To reduce reliance on government funding, ARMIA has invested and will continue to invest in strategic social enterprises. This approach aims to generate independent revenue streams, ensuring long-term financial stability while enabling the organization to scale its operations and reach.
- Future-Oriented Service Model: ARMIA’s forward-looking approach emphasizes adaptability and innovation. As financial resources grow, the organization plans to expand its support services to operate around the clock and globe, becoming an accessible and trusted resource for individuals and families in need.
ARMIA’s unique blend of professional expertise, cultural sensitivity, and holistic services sets it apart as a leader in refugee and migrant support. Its deep community connections, strategic collaborations, and innovative programs position it to continue driving meaningful change in the lives of those it serves, fostering both individual and community growth.
A Vision Rooted in Community, Growth, and Sustainability
ARMIA operates with a team of highly skilled professionals who currently work as volunteers or permanent part and fulltime, casual and sub-contracting employees. Despite the lack of committed funding, the organization remains unwavering in its commitment to staff well-being and quality service delivery. Plans are in place to offer comprehensive training and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) once financial resources are secured. ARMIA understands that retaining its talented workforce is critical for ensuring organizational stability and maintaining consistent, high-quality support for its clients, often and mostly with very complex needs.
The organization envisions itself as a “Tree,” symbolizing strength, inclusivity, and adaptability. ARMIA welcomes individuals with diverse needs at any time, striving to be a 24/7 support system as future funding allows. This unique model underscores the organization’s Mission to provide flexible, holistic and person-centered assistance that addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by post-settlement refugees and migrants.
ARMIA’s overarching goal is to build a model that not only addresses immediate challenges but also fosters long-term resilience and integration for refugees and migrants. By focusing on holistic support, strategic partnerships, and sustainable growth, ARMIA stands out as a leader in post-settlement services. Its innovative approach ensures that every individual served is empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity, independence, and hope.
With a strong foundation rooted in community connections and a clear path toward sustainable growth, ARMIA is poised to become a transformative force in addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees and migrants across the region and beyond.
