https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOoACdDWE2Y
By William Muyuku
Toronto, Oct 16, 2026
TORONTO, Canada, October 2026. Samuel Mwangi, founder and CEO of PIPES International, believes that helping people escape poverty begins with treating them with dignity. I met him in Toronto, where he spoke about the experiences that shaped his mission and the work his organization is doing among vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond
Mwangi recalled how a life-changing encounter in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004 led him to dedicate his life to serving Indigenous and displaced families. He had travelled to the Katana forest region near Bukavu, where he met Indigenous families living without food or basic necessities. Their stories convinced him that poverty was not only a lack of material resources, but also a loss of dignity and hope.
PIPES International, which stands for Partnership for Indigenous Peoples, works in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Pakistan and the United States. The organization combines Christian discipleship with practical support in education, health, farming, savings and skills training.
Its programs are adapted to local realities. In the DRC, PIPES supports schools and education. In Kenya, it focuses on discipleship and empowerment. In Burundi, more than 250 women participate in farming, savings and discipleship groups. In Rwanda, the organization supports a small group of Indigenous people.
The work is especially challenging in eastern Congo, where conflict and displacement continue to affect families. Mwangi told me that PIPES has trained local leaders who continue to deliver assistance, including feeding programs on Idjwi Island, even when international travel is unsafe.
Mwangi said the organization’s goal is a holistic one: helping children attend school, supporting families to earn income, improving health and sharing the Christian faith. He also announced plans to establish a PIPES International chapter in Canada, with Toronto as a possible headquarters.
To join or support PIPES International, contact Samuel Mwangi at SAMUEL@PIPESINTERNATIONAL.ORG or donate at WWW.PIPESINTERNATIONAL.ORG/DONATE.
