Musa Ruvubika

Known professionally as Shuri, Nganika, Ngabugabuga, Dechi, Zinde

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(Weka picha zako hapa chini; unaweza kuongeza nyingi kadri unavyotaka.)

The Life Story of Musa Ruvubika – From Struggle to Hope

Born on December 30, 2000, Musa Ruvubika’s journey began in a modest home made of bamboo and mud. His parents, full of determination and hope, worked tirelessly to create a future for their children despite poverty and hardship.

When his mother gave birth, doctors advised an emergency operation, but by the grace of God, both mother and child survived safely. Upon returning home, neighbors celebrated the newborn with porridge and joy — a small light in a time of struggle.

Early Life of Humility and Hardship

Life was simple but filled with love. The family lived without electricity or television; at night, they depended on firelight. Musa’s mother would place him on the floor as she cooked, using the flame of a burning stick to find him in the dark.

His mother brewed a traditional drink known as “Mmena”, a small but powerful source of income that kept the family alive and the children in school. His father, a man of compassion and skill, worked in pharmacy and traditional medicine, treating people in their community and doing everything he could to provide for his family.

Life in Mwanza, Mtabira, and Nyarugusu (2005–2008)

In 2005, the family moved to Mwanza, Tanzania, where Musa’s father continued his work in pharmacy and healthcare. But life remained unstable, and soon new challenges arose.

That same year, the family relocated again — this time to Mtabira Refugee Camp in Kasulu, Kigoma, a camp primarily hosting Burundian refugees.

Life in Mtabira was difficult and full of uncertainty. Yet it was there that Musa learned the strength of patience and unity. He witnessed how families, despite being displaced, supported each other and found hope even in the hardest times.

After several years, due to ongoing family and financial struggles, the Ruvubika family moved once more — in 2008 — returning to Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, also located in Kasulu, Kigoma.

Nyarugusu became another chapter of survival and resilience, where Musa grew up watching his parents fight through hardship with faith and courage. These movements — from Mwanza to Mtabira and finally to Nyarugusu — built the foundation of his understanding of life: that home is not just a place, but the people who never give up on each other.

Growing Through Work and Responsibility

As he matured, Musa began working to help his family and fund his education. He engaged in many small but vital jobs, including:

• Building and repairing houses
• Cutting grass for roof thatching
• Making and selling bricks
• Writing and printing books and photos
• Creating school syllabuses
• Playing football as a passion
• Welding and farming

Every task — no matter how small — carried purpose. It taught Musa resilience, humility, and the value of hard work.

A New Beginning in America

On March 9, 2020, the Ruvubika family migrated to the United States of America, settling in Woodbridge, Virginia. They began a new chapter filled with both opportunity and challenge. Musa and his siblings worked hard to support their parents as they adapted to the new environment.

After one year, tragedy struck when his younger brother Robert Ruvubika contracted COVID-19, leading the family to lose their jobs. Yet again, they faced difficulty with faith.

Musa and Robert later moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while their older brother remained in Virginia to protect and assist the family.

Their friend Maurid Shabani helped them relocate, and Ramadhani “RJ” Shambani, Maurid’s brother, helped them find work at URBAN, where they began on March 17, 2021.

They worked long 10-hour days, sending money back home to help pay rent and bills. Meanwhile, their mother began working at a hotel — walking long distances daily, even when sick, determined to keep her family strong.

Reuniting and Building a New Life

After one year in Lancaster, Musa and Robert saved enough to buy a car and returned to Virginia on April 17, 2022, reuniting with their family. Together again, they supported one another and worked for a brighter future.

Musa later joined IDEMIA Chantilly, where he worked for three years and formed lifelong friendships. On October 15, 2025, he left the company after the family achieved a great milestone — buying their first home in Richmond, Virginia, marking a new chapter of peace and stability.

And the Journey Continues…

From the dusty refugee camps of Mtabira and Nyarugusu to the calm neighborhoods of Richmond, Musa’s story is one of hope, resilience, and faith. He often says:

“Maisha sio rahisi, lakini yakikataa kukupa njia, tengeneza yako mwenyewe.”

My Life in photos by location

AMERICAN PHOTO