Protais Muhirwa
Founder & Foundation Director – ARMIA Healing the Incurables
Empowering Communities Through Compassion, Inclusion, and Innovation
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
Protais Muhirwa, the Founder and Foundation Director of ARMIA Healing the Incurables (formerly Active Refugee & Migrant Integration in Australia), has dedicated his life to building pathways of empowerment for marginalized communities. What began as a small initiative in Sunnybank, Queensland, on January 26, 2015, has grown into a transformational multicultural hub that uplifts refugees, migrants, Indigenous Australians, and the disadvantaged—delivering services that go far beyond traditional settlement support.
Inspired by the impact he witnessed during his time at Misericordia International Centre in South Africa—where refugees once deemed hopeless became doctors, engineers, and teachers—Protais brought this transformational ethos to Australia. Guided by the motto of St. Mary MacKillop, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” his leadership is both practical and deeply humanitarian.
Leading with Heart and Strategy
As Foundation Director, Protais adopts a “horizontal” leadership model—one that prioritizes dignity, person-centered solutions, and active community engagement. At ARMIA House, his diverse team of over 70 professionals and volunteers provides integrated support in areas such as employment, mental health, education, and housing. By creating an inclusive space where each person is seen and heard, Protais transforms lives from dependency to economic and social independence.
ARMIA stands out not only for its services, but for its ability to deliver results even when government settlement support ends. This makes it a critical bridge for many long-settled migrants and refugees who still face chronic challenges years after arriving in Australia.
Innovating for Integration and Employment
Protais’s focus on long-term integration is evident in programs like L’Oasis, a community café initiative designed to tackle unemployment and social isolation. His employment support strategy involves hands-on training, cultural orientation, and personalized follow-up—ensuring clients are job-ready and employers are supported. Under his leadership, ARMIA has pioneered a six-month retention strategy that ensures employment outcomes are sustainable.
Moreover, the organization addresses complex post-settlement issues such as youth disengagement, mental health crises, and social disconnection. With services reaching 100–150 clients weekly, ARMIA plays a vital role in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
Accountability and Impact
ARMIA operates with integrity and measurable impact. As a registered charity with Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and DGR status, it offers transparency and encourages sustainable donor support. Its governance model includes a Management Committee and Advisory Committee, ensuring that services remain community-driven and responsive. Protais leads with vision but empowers others to carry it forward—building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
Unique Model, Global Aspirations
What truly differentiates ARMIA under Protais’s leadership is its culturally appropriate, multidisciplinary, and inclusive approach. With professionals from fields such as medicine, psychology, education, and law, ARMIA’s team is equipped to meet complex challenges with nuance and care.
Strong partnerships with government agencies, universities, and faith-based institutions amplify its reach. Situated in a vibrant community hub, ARMIA has become a sanctuary for healing and transformation—where people are not just helped, but empowered.
Looking ahead, Protais envisions ARMIA as a 24/7 global resource, capable of responding to diverse and complex needs around the clock. His plans include expanding social enterprise models, retaining skilled staff, and replicating the ARMIA model across Australia and beyond.
Vision For the Future
Protais Muhirwa’s journey is a testament to the power of leadership rooted in empathy, cultural insight, and a commitment to systemic change. From founding ARMIA to shaping innovative integration models, his work continues to redefine what it means to truly empower communities.
By turning lived experience into visionary leadership, Protais has created more than an organization—he has built a movement. One that refuses to leave anyone behind, and that believes in the boundless potential of every human being.