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Voices of the Future: Empowering the Next Generation of Refugee Leaders

The Voices of the Future event, hosted by Language Youth RFG Ministries, brought together community leaders, educators, youth advocates, and refugee families for an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating empowerment, diversity, and resilience. The event served as a platform for young refugees to share their stories, talents, and dreams reminding everyone that language and faith have the power to unite and transform lives.

Our Executive Director in Action

Chance Mabonge — Founder & Executive Director, Language Youth RFG Ministries

At the heart of Language Youth RFG Ministries stands a visionary leader — Chance Mabonge, whose dedication, compassion, and unwavering faith continue to drive the mission forward. As Executive Director, Chance leads by example — not from behind a desk, but in the field, among the very youth and families the organization serves.

Whether he’s mentoring refugee students in English classes, guiding new volunteers through community outreach programs, or representing the organization at national conferences, Chance embodies the spirit of service. His leadership is rooted in empathy — shaped by his own journey as a refugee and his determination to ensure that no young person feels voiceless or forgotten.

Under his guidance, Language Youth RFG Ministries has expanded its programs to include language education, cultural integration, counseling, financial literacy, and youth leadership training. Chance’s “hands-on leadership” approach inspires his team to see every challenge as an opportunity to bring hope and transformation.

Chance’s vision for Language Youth RFG is clear: to build a global movement of empowered refugee youth who rise as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers in their communities. His daily work — from coordinating with international partners to engaging directly with youth — reflects a simple but powerful truth: leadership is service in motion.

A Night of Inspiration

The evening opened with a warm welcome from Chance Mabonge, the Founder and Director of Language Youth RFG Ministries. In his heartfelt speech, Chance reflected on his personal journey a story that mirrors the experiences of many young refugees around the world.

Born on August 8, 2003, in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in western Tanzania, Chance grew up surrounded by both hardship and hope. His family fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeking safety and a chance for a better future. “Growing up in the camp,” Chance shared, “we learned to be strong even when the world seemed to forget us. We had little, but we had faith and that was enough to keep us moving forward.”

In 2018, at just 15 years old, Chance and his family were resettled in Louisville, Kentucky, through the IOM & OIM - U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Arriving with no English skills, he faced the challenges of adaptation and integration head-on. “I didn’t know how to say a single sentence in English when I first came,” he recalled. “But I promised myself that I would learn not just for me, but for every young person who dreams of a better tomorrow.”

From those early struggles, Chance’s determination only grew stronger. He attended Newcomer Academy and later Iroquois High School, where he graduated in May 2022. His persistence earned him a full scholarship to Bellarmine University, where he now studies Art Design and Business Administration & Management.

The Birth of a Mission

Chance’s experiences led him to found Language Youth RFG Ministries — a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering refugee youth through language education, cultural exchange, employment readiness, and faith-based mentorship.

The Voices of the Future event reflects this mission perfectly giving refugee youth a platform to express themselves, connect with others, and build bridges between cultures. “This event is more than a celebration,” Chance said during his address. “It’s a movement of hope. It’s about giving every young person the courage to speak, to lead, and to believe that their story matters.”

Voices That Inspire

Language Youth RFG Ministries team

The event featured powerful performances, testimonies, and discussions led by members of the Language Youth RFG Ministries team, including:

Chance Mabonge - Executive Director
Juma Abwe – Faith & Spiritual Community
Byaombe Msafiri – Community Engagement
Alphonso – Employment Readiness
Sikuloya Msafiri – Job Research Support

Each team member shared insights into their work and the impact of Language Youth RFG Ministries’ programs across refugee communities. Their words highlighted the importance of unity, service, and compassion — the core values of the ministry.

Building Bridges Through Language and Faith

Voices of the Future also underscored the importance of collaboration among community organizations, schools, and faith leaders. Through partnerships and outreach, Language Youth RFG Ministries continues to create spaces where refugee youth can grow with confidence, contribute meaningfully, and find belonging.

“Language is not just communication,” Chance said. “It is connection. It is the bridge that turns strangers into family, and hardship into hope.”

The success of the Voices of the Future event marks only the beginning of a larger vision. Language Youth RFG Ministries plans to expand its outreach programs, launch new educational initiatives, and strengthen partnerships with local and global organizations.

“From a refugee camp in Tanzania to a classroom in Kentucky — this is proof that dreams can travel across oceans,” Chance shared. “And now, it’s our responsibility to make sure others can dream even bigger.”

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