The Heart of Our Work
As a global humanitarian leader, GAP stands at the intersection of crisis and opportunity. While our roots are in Australia, our heart beats across Africa, with strategic offices in Kenya and Rwanda overseeing life-changing programs in Burundi and Congo.
We recognize that the greatest burden of a refugee is the loss of agency in a foreign land. That is why our work—particularly our specialized projects in Kenya—focuses on financial independence. Our mission is to transform lives by providing the tools for refugees to become the architects of their own futures. At GAP, we don’t just provide aid; we restore the human spirit, changing the global perception of refugees from people in need to people of power and purpose.
Our Journey of Impact
The Heart Behind the Mission: Our Founder’s Journey
From Lived Experience to Global Leadership GAP was not born in a boardroom, but from the frontlines of displacement. Our founder, Mr. Jerome Rugaruza, carries a unique perspective as both a former refugee and a lifelong humanitarian. His commitment to service began at just 11 years old when, as a primary student, he gave his own school fees to an orphaned classmate—a spark of radical empathy that has defined his life’s work ever since.
A Decade of Service Across Africa Before being resettled to Newcastle, NSW, Australia, Jerome spent years navigating the complexities of the humanitarian sector in Africa. His deep-rooted expertise was forged through strategic roles with some of the world’s most vital organizations:
UNHCR (2000–2010): Served as a Human Rights Advocate, bridging the gap between medical care and communication for Swahili-speaking refugees.
HELP International (Canada): Directed educational programs to empower displaced youth through knowledge.
AFRICARE (USA): Played a pivotal role in the post-genocide reconstruction of Rwanda (1995–1996), facilitating trauma healing for widows and orphans and rebuilding destroyed communities.
French Humanitarian Initiatives: Dedicated a year to the street children of East Africa, focus on family reintegration and social education.
The Birth of GAP In 2010, after resettling in Australia via a humanitarian visa, Jerome recognized he was finally in a position of strength—both financially and strategically—to create a permanent vehicle for change. Global Assistance Partners (GAP) was founded to move beyond temporary aid and focus on sustainable dignity.
Our Impact Strategy: From Survival to Self-Sufficiency We prioritize those in the greatest need, but we measure our success by long-term output. We don’t just fund projects; we invest in livelihoods. By focusing on job creation and financial independence, we ensure that every dollar spent translates into a life permanently transformed.
The Future: Growing Hope in the Soil While our operations have traditionally focused on the urban challenges of Nairobi, we are now turning our eyes toward the horizon. [We are currently expanding into the Kenyan upcountry, launching agricultural initiatives] that will provide refugees with the land, tools, and training to feed their families and fuel the local economy.