This is an iHeart Podcast. Let's be real. Life happens. Kids spill. Pets shed.
And accidents are inevitable. Find a sofa that can keep up at washable sofas.com. Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out. You can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry-free living. Made with liquid and stain-resistant fabrics.
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Visit washablefas.com today and save. That's washablefas.com. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. This season, let your shoes do the talking. Designer Shoe Warehouse is packed with fresh styles that speak to your whole vibe without saying a word.
From cool sneakers that look good with everything to easy sandals you'll want to wear on repeat, DSW has you covered. Find a shoe for every you from the brands you love, like Birkenstock, Nike, Adidas New Balance, and more. Head to your DSW store or visit dsw.com today. You know, one of the most important things when studying scripture is making sure we truly understand what we're reading. That's why we love the New Living Translation.
It's great for personal study, teaching, and even reading aloud because the NLT was crafted with both accuracy and readability in mind. Whether you're walking through a tough passage or just reading devotionally, the NLT helps scripture come alive.
So if you're looking for a Bible translation that's accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable, check out the NLT at newlivingtranslation.com. You heard it before many times. Water is life. But do you know that almost half of the homes on the Navajo Reservation do not have clean, running water? With your support, St.
Bonaventure Indian Mission and School is ready to give water to Navajo families.
So we invite you to help provide this precious gift of life to those in need. Contrary to many average Americans, Navajo families survive on just 10 gallons of water per day. You can help support St. Bonaventure's water delivery program. By going to stbonaventure mission.org.
This is Danielle Fischl from Pod Meets World. Parents, quick question. When is the last time you won snack time? The other day, I handed my son a perfectly portioned Pinterest-level snack and And he traded it for a Mott's applesauce pouch. I'm not mad, just impressed.
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Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn more at Motts.com. And we continue with our American stories. Up next, We bring you a story that begins across the ocean in Africa. but winds up being a true story of faith Generosity.
and citizenship based here in the United States. Here to share his story is Peter Mutabatsi. Yeah. I'm from a small village at the border of Uganda and Rwanda. My name is Peter Mutabazi Habi Admana.
Motabazi is my dad's name and Habi Admana is the name that I was given at the age of two. You know, for most moms, you know, we name our kids before they are born. As soon as we know we are pregnant or expecting, you know, we look for names. But in my time, in my village, moms were not able to do so. In my village, most kids would die before the age of two.
So most moms did name their kids. Not because they didn't love them, but... They weren't sure they will make it. And so they didn't give us a name until when a little bit older.
So at two, I was given a name, Habi Edmana, which means a gift given to me by God. That's what my mom named me. I come from a village, you know, where life was miserable in every shape, form you could imagine. Grew up in a home where no one ever told me to be hopeful or grew up in a home where really tomorrow wasn't guaranteed, you know, and here are the reasons why. Think about as a mom, if you cannot feed your child for a day, how do you tell them they have a future?
And that was me, you know, at age of four, I knew I can go fetch water. you know three to four miles away just for us to have drinking water and so as a kid that's all i did think about that you have to walk four miles one way and four miles back do you ever have time to go to school absolutely no that my family needed more you know they needed water that they needed me to go to school but also they could not afford me to go to school Also, you know, I grew up from a family that are farmers. In other words, you know, we call ourselves subsistence farmers, which means we only grow what we consume. You know, we didn't have enough meals, I can remember. We had a meal every other day, and to us a meal was beans and potatoes.
And if we were lucky, we could have both, but most of the time we would have one of them so we can spare one for the next day.
So that's all I knew as a kid, you know, of misery and hardship. But it wasn't just me, it was every child in that village that worked hard. We all went to fetch water miles, miles away.
So I took it as a norm that this is a normal life in some way. But then at the age of five, four, I began to realize that we were different. that my dad was different from any other dad I knew. But my dad was just so mean, abusive to me and abusive to my mom and to my siblings as well. I never had kind words from my dad, like any other kid.
You know, we work so hard to please our dads. You go fetch water for days and hours and go look for firewood. And you would hope your dad would say, Son, that was a great job you did. To me, no. You know, I think all I had from my dad was garbage.
I will never amount to anything. I am useless. You know, the dogs in my neighborhood were worthy or worth more than I was. And those are the things I had from my dad every day. And if it wasn't my, you know, coming towards me, it was going through my mom.
And as five years old, I could not protect my mom. Misery is all I knew. And I never wanted to see tomorrow because today was hard enough. that I really didn't want to repeat it the next day. And that was my life, you know, from the age of zero to 10, 11 as a kid in my village.
You know, so at the age of 10, I think I was, life had become so miserable. And I think as you grow older, you understand abuse harsher and harder in some way. You know, those words that I had every day that I would never amount to anything, you know, now they were striking me. uh you know, deep down the core of myself, you know. But also I think I hated my dad so much that I thought, look, To give him a reason to kill me, that is...
That is a gift, you know? And I think at the age of 10 I said, look, I would rather go die in the hands of someone else than my dad. You know, I didn't know where I was going, but also I wasn't looking for a future, but I think I was looking in some way to die in the hands of a stranger than my own dad.
So I had never been 20 miles away from my village. You know, I ran away to the bus station at three in the morning and I asked the lady, hey, of all these buses here, which goes the farthest? And the reason why I was asking was I needed to go as far as I could, that I knew if he met me, if he found me, that he would take my life.
So Running as far as I could was all that I needed.
So the lady told me that one, you know, I got on that bus, I can tell you. It could not He wasn't traveling enough, you know, and I had never been in a kind somewhere, so I was scared to death, I was little, but at the same time, there was a joy to look back and see that I was leaving my village, that I was leaving that man who had, you know, caused harm and somewhere that I detested and hated so much. I didn't know where I was going, but there was a glimpse of I don't have to hear him anymore. I don't have to take his physical abuse anymore. I don't have to listen to my mom crying from his abuse.
Like, I cannot hear this anymore.
So, there was a joy, you know, in some way of living. I didn't know really where I was going. And finally, I made it to Kampala. You know, the journey took up, you know, took about 14 14-16 hours and ended up in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, which is about 500 kilometers away from my village. And I knew I was fine enough, but also I knew, hey, I'm in a new city, I have no idea, I don't speak the language, I've never been here, but I got one thing to make.
To make it through the day. You're coming from home, it was survival day by day. On the streets, it was survival hour by hour. I remember, I don't think I ever slept at one point for. for more than two hours, just to make it.
You know, I think I slept less than two hours for four and a half years I was on the streets because it wasn't safe. I got to meet other street kids and I knew that I had found family and that it became my family.
So I, you know, right away I became a street kid and I learned how to survive. And yes, the abuse on the streets was harsher and we had to survive hour by hour, but they were strangers. You know, they called me garbage, they called me. you know, names that you call any useless animal, but at the same time, I was hearing them from strangers that didn't matter to me or that I didn't care about. And I learned to survive and as three kids, we learned how to work hard.
You know, working hard was to help people so we can earn the right to be on the streets. You know, the work ethic is one thing I knew how to do, you know, but also to be honest, it was easier to steal while you're helping. You know, if people need cheap labor, they weren't paying you.
So, all you could do is help, but in the process of helping, you would steal what you need.
So, at the end of the day, we would have enough to eat. And that's how we survived. You know, back in Uganda, we didn't beg for money. You know, most people don't make a dollar a day. You don't beg for money, but you work so you can earn the right, but also work so hard so you felt you're useful to the strangers who needed.
You help in some way, but also for us as street kids it provided a venue and a place to find food and to feel safe, you know. For us commotion and where there were people, we felt we can be safe within that environment. And so marketplaces became our home. We lived on the streets where they threw all the garbage.
So that meant they were stray animals, there were dogs, you know, there were vultures that were all looking for food, just like us, you know. And people were mean sometimes, so we would do some work and they would refuse to give us food or they would rather throw it away to the garbage. And that's where we had to go get it. In order for them to get rid of us from where they were, they would throw away the food in the garbage for us to go find it so we can go. But that meant to struggle it with the dogs.
That meant to fight it with the vultures. And I don't know how I survived, you know, eating the most horrible food, but somehow make it through the day. You know, that's truly by the grace of God. to be honest, but it was a way to survive. It was a way to make it through the day and that became my new life.
And you're listening to Peter Mutabatsi tell the story of his harrowing childhood. in the worst possible circumstances a person could grow up His mother and mothers in his village wouldn't even name kids. until they had reached a certain decent age, Because most died before they were two. Unimaginable. An abusive father on top of it?
and he escapes to the streets of Kampala. where he finds community with fellow Refugees from the villages of to the streets. and community and family with those kids. When we come back, more of Peter Mutubatsi's story. Here on Our American Story.
Let's be real. Life happens. Kids spill. Pets shed. And accidents are inevitable.
Find a sofa that can keep up at washablesofas.com. Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out. So you can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry-free living. Made with liquid and stain-resistant fabrics. They're kid-proof, pet-friendly, and built for everyday life.
Plus, changeable fabric covers let you refresh your sofa whenever you want. Neat flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa anytime to fit your space, whether it's a growing family room or a cozy apartment. Plus, they're earth-friendly and trusted by over 200,000 happy customers. It's time to upgrade to a stress-free, mess-proof sofa.
Visit washablefas.com today and save. That's washablefas.com. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. You're great at protecting your own personal information. You probably even use things like two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and a VPN.
But as much as you try to be in control of how your information is protected, There are lots of places that also have it, and they might not be as careful as you are. That's why LifeLock monitors millions of data points every second for identity threats. If your identity is stolen, a LifeLock U.S.-based restoration specialist will help solve identity theft issues on your behalf, guaranteed or your money back. Plus, all LifeLock plans are backed by the Million Dollar Protection Package, meaning Life Lock will reimburse you up to the limits of your plan if you lose money due to identity theft. You might not be able to control how others handle your personal information, but you can help protect it with LifeLock.
save up to 40% your first year. Call 1-800-Lifelock and use promo code iHeart or go to lifelock.com/slash iHeart for 40% off. Terms apply. You know, one of the most important things when studying scripture is making sure we truly understand what we're reading. That's why we love the New Living Translation.
It's great for personal study, teaching, and even reading aloud because the NLT was crafted with both accuracy and readability in mind. Whether you're walking through a tough passage or just reading devotionally, the NLT helps scripture come alive.
So if you're looking for a Bible translation that's accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable, check out the NLT at newlivingtranslation.com. You heard it before many times. Water is life. But do you know that almost half of the homes on the Navajo Reservation do not have clean, running water? With your support, St.
Bonaventure Indian Mission and School is ready to give water to Navajo families.
So we invite you to help provide this precious gift of life to those in need. Contrary to many average Americans, Navajo families survive on just 10 Gallons of water per day. You can help support St. Bonaventure's water delivery program by going to stbonaventuremission.org. This is Danielle Fischel from Pod Meets World.
Parents, let's talk snacks. If your mornings look anything like mine, one kid's trying to pile drive a pillow and the other is trying to zip themselves into a backpack.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to sign a permission slip with an eyeliner pencil because that's all I could find. That's why Mott's no sugar-added applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch and are perfect for moments of stress. Made with real apples, no sugar-added, and the pouch? Genius!
It's mess-free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox, or after-school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about, and a good source of vitamin C too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day, I handed one to my son mid-meltdown. He took a deep breath, squeezed the pouch, and suddenly he was calm.
He had a tiny apple-powered moment of zen. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Moths. Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn more at motts.com.
And we're back with Our American Stories and the story of Peter Mutabasi. His book, Now I Am Known, is available on Amazon at local bookstores wherever you get your books. Peter was born in Uganda in poverty and ran away to Kampala. Uganda's capital escape an abusive father. where he lived On the streets.
Back to Peter. Uh You know, this is strange, but if someone was kind to us, we didn't go towards that because we knew anyone who's kind, especially for me, anyone who was kind would also come with abuse.
So we weren't trusting, we didn't trust people.
So one day I am sitting with my friends, you know, we see someone wearing glasses and smart. And clean and speaking English, so we always knew that was a target.
So, for me, I saw him, I was like, I got my target. He's gonna buy food, I'm gonna help him, and then I'm gonna steal some and I'm gonna go, you know.
So, I followed him, he bought food. And as soon as he bought what he was buying, I think they were bananas and sweet potatoes. And so I went to him, I said, I'm gonna carry these things to your car. But before I could do that, he said, Hey, what's your name? And that rattled me.
I had lived on the streets for four and a half years. No one at any point during that time ever asked me what my name was. No once. And so I stopped and, you know, I told him my name is Peter. And I, you know, of course, I tried to help him.
And before I could take it, he had something to eat and he gave me something to eat. And I was surprised, you know. And so he left. I didn't buy into it. You know, most people were kind, as I said, they were mean at the same time.
So I was waiting for him to be mean, but he left.
Well, the next week, I saw him again.
So the second time I saw him, you know, he gave me something to eat and he called me by name. which was really kind of cool. You know, so he left the third time. I was like, wait a minute. I know what day he comes, I know what car he drives, I know what he buys, and I know where he goes.
So I was assured every Monday that he was coming to the city.
So that's how I got to know him. Though he was kind, though he helped me, I kept a distance. Remember, Uh, anyone who was kind always came with abuse.
So, for me, I was waiting for abuse. Like, I didn't trust him, though he was kind, I didn't trust him because I was waiting for the bad part to come, I was waiting for. You know, for the abuse to come. But he never came.
So for one year and a half, he gave me something to eat. And sometimes he will bring more for other kids. And so one day he said, Hey, Peter, if you had an opportunity to go to school, would you go to school? You know? And I was like, wait.
Me, a garbage boy, a useless boy, a kid who never amounts to anything, me going to school, you know. And I did not believe him. But man, every time he came and said, Hey, I would like to take you to school if you like to. And then finally I said, absolutely. And the reason why I said yes, it wasn't because I wanted to be somebody.
You know, my family, we didn't have so many educated people that I wanted to be like, no. For me, for the first time in my entire life, someone saw me as a human being.
Well, he gave me clothes to wear. And he told me I was going to a boarding school. But before he could take me, he said, Hey, there are two things that are gonna happen. One, you're gonna be part of the local church. Then the other one is there'll be meals for you.
There'll be lunch, breakfast, and dinner. I think I didn't hear anything else, but I had the meal. That's all I had.
So as we went, you know, I really looked at him and I said, you know, four kids, why me? Like, why are you doing this for me? And he looked at me, I said, you know. Boy, I just want to be faithful. That's all.
I really want to be faithful. But I did not understand what he meant, you know.
So finally, we make it to school and it was lunchtime. They gave me something to eat, and he said there would be dinner.
So for me, I waited for the next meal. I really didn't think about school. I didn't think about anything. And I slept there for one night. And then, because before I left, I told the other street kids, Hey, if you don't see me in the next 24 hours, when you see this man, harm him, please harm him.
That means either he killed me or something happened. payback time.
So I slept and the following night I had to come back to the city because I wanted to tell them that I was okay. Because I knew they would harm him if I didn't come back.
So I came back and said, hey, I'm okay. He put me in school and I really like it. There's food, so I'm going back for food.
So I went back and in the process of waiting for a meal, I think I realized that in order to do this, I needed to go to class, you know.
So then I started going to class and then I realized that I was smart. Not only was I just good at finding food, but I knew also that I was smart in school as well. And after a while, you know, I was there for six months. He said, you know, you can be part of our family. And that really began to change my life, you know, because the teachers, the social workers that they were coming alongside, began to see the best in me.
They saw potential that I didn't see in myself. And I think for me, that truly began to change my world on how I looked at things, you know. And then the one thing he did, once he brought me to his family, they would use words of affirmation that I had never had before. They would say things like, Peter, you matter. I'm like, well, what?
Me? I matter. You know, this one day he was going to the city and he was taking me with me. I always knew sitting in front was for the important people. You know, that I wasn't worthy of sitting in front.
With him, I always sat in the back, but this time he said, Peter, can you sit in front? And I said, No. I don't deserve to sit in front. I need to sit in the back. And he looked at me and said, Peter, no, you belong to this family.
You sit in front. Man, I can remember those words this day. Kind of remove the scales of sham, the scales of what I'd been told all my life, that I was nobody, that I would never amount to anything, because they saw more in me than I saw in myself. Finally, I finished high school and then I went to university in Uganda and then I got a scholarship to go study in England. You know, so after England and then I went back to Uganda and I was working for the International Committee of Red Cross and my job was to work as a radio operator to make sure that food on planes and trucks was moving from Kenya to Sudan.
And so one day I wanted to visit the refugee camp.
So I went there and while I was there I saw this 18 year old boy, shirtless, white. He was the only white kid ever.
So I was like, man, what are you doing here? He said, my name is Luke and I'm here to help the refugees. And I got to know him and I said, hey, you know, I dared an American.
So if you come to Kampala, please come and have clean water and we'll make sure you're okay. And so he came and stayed with us for about two months. And then he went back to the United States. And when he got back in the US, he said, you know, he said, Peter, there's a school I go to. I think I would like to really help you get a scholarship to come and study here.
I was like, man, I'm not sure I can afford it. He's like, no, leave it out to me. I'll do the best I can. And here I was. You know, from one stranger and it's like you got more potential in life, and so he got me a scholarship to come and study here in the United States.
And so, I went to school for four years, and then I was hired at the end, you know, to be an advocate for children with Compassion International.
So, I get to travel with key note speakers and you know, reverends and all people to show them the work of compassion all over the world. And so, not only did I travel, you know, to my 20 countries I had traveled in, but now I had an opportunity to travel to 101 countries, which was absolutely mind-blowing. You know, from a street kid in Kampala who didn't think about tomorrow, there I was jumping from one country to the other, which was really fascinating. But all I wanted was to truly be a voice for the unseen, the unheard, the ones that we don't know. That I wanted them to know their story through telling my own story.
that people would help them. And so that became my job for 10 years. And what a story you've been listening to from Peter Mutabasi. He lived on the streets for four and a half years when a man asked him what his name was. And it was the first time it had happened to him.
And of course that act of kindness he assumed would always be followed. by an act of abuse. And in fact, That kept on persisting. Until it didn't. And when this man offered up the kindness of free school, Peter asked, Why me?
And he answered, Boy, I want to be faithful. When we come back, more of this remarkable story. of faith. of love. of a stranger.
Here on Our American Stories. Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets, and kids. But with Anibay, you never have to stress about messes again. At washablesofas.com, discover Anibay Sofas, the only fully machine-washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699.
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Plus, they're earth-friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablefas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washable sofas.com.
Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. You're great at protecting your own personal information. You probably even use things like two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and a VPN. But as much as you try to be in control of how your information is protected, There are lots of places that also have it, and they might not be as careful as you are. That's why LifeLock monitors millions of data points every second for identity threats.
If your identity is stolen, a LifeLock U.S.-based restoration specialist will help solve identity theft issues on your behalf, guaranteed or your money back. Plus, all LifeLock plans are backed by the Million Dollar Protection Package, meaning Life Lock will reimburse you up to the limits of your plan if you lose money due to identity theft. You might not be able to control how others handle your personal information, but you can help protect it with LifeLock. Save up to 40% your first year. Call 1-800-LIFELOCK and use promo code iHeart or go to lifelock.com/slash iHeart for 40% off.
Terms apply. You know, one of the most important things when studying scripture is making sure we truly understand what we're reading. That's why we love the New Living Translation. It's great for personal study, teaching, and even reading aloud because the NLT was crafted with both accuracy and readability in mind. Whether you're walking through a tough passage or just reading devotionally, the NLT helps scripture come alive.
So if you're looking for a Bible translation that's accurate, understandable, and audibly enjoyable, check out the NLT at newlivingtranslation.com. Toa Ina. We all know that water is life. An average American household consumes over 300 gallons daily. 40% of Navajo families residing on a reservation the size of West Virginia struggle to survive on less than 10 gallons of water per day.
Yearly St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School delivers over 1.5 million gallons of clean water. Water to these families. You can help support St. Bonaventure's water delivery program by going to stbonaventuremission.org.
This is Danielle Fischel from Pod Meets World. Parents, let's talk snacks. If your mornings look anything like mine, one kid's trying to pile drive a pillow and the other is trying to zip themselves into a backpack.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to sign a permission slip with an eyeliner pencil because that's all I could find. That's why Mott's no-sugar-added applesauce pouches are perfect to have nearby. These things are clutch and are perfect for moments of stress. Made with real apples, no sugar-added, and the pouch? Genius!
It's mess-free and perfect for the car, the lunchbox, or after-school activities. This is a snack you can feel good about, and a good source of vitamin C too. Just tasty applesauce your kids will actually want to eat. The other day, I handed one to my son mid-meltdown. He took a deep breath, squeezed the pouch, and suddenly he was calm.
He had a tiny apple-powered moment of zen. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Moths. Real apples make real good applesauce. Learn more at knotts.com.
And we're back with our American stories and the final portion of Peter Mutabazzi's story. After being adopted himself, Peter eventually ended up working for the international humanitarian organization Compassion International and advocated for children living in the very same poverty. He experienced growing up. His work took him around the world. But his home base.
was the United States. Let's return to Peter.
Well, so when I came to the United States, I think I struggled. I would visit people and then, you know, most families where I come from, you know, are homes as big as the American garage. And there's seven to 12 people that live in that garage, you know?
So when I walk into these homes, they were huge, but they were empty. There were only like two people living, and I'm like, But why? There must be kids in the neighborhood that are truly looking for a place to be.
So I think from that conviction, I wanted to. to somehow leave what someone did for me, that he saw the need of kids on the streets of Kampala, but he didn't walk away, but he wanted to do something. And he happened to help one and that one happened to be me that I wanted to do the same. You know, Luke 1248, who much is given, much is required. Like I felt I had been giving so much that I wanted to give back as well.
You know, so I, you know, I think it was a promise in my head: like, God, if you ever give me an extra bedroom, I'm gonna. help a child, you know?
So that's when it came.
So I bought a house, quit my job where I was working with Compassion International. And then I moved to Oklahoma because it was cheaper to live in Oklahoma, but also a good place to learn to be a foster parent. And so I walked in the foster care system. I said, hey, I would like to mentor children. Is there any way you could help, you know, help me?
Or any way I could be of help? And the reason why I thought of mentoring was I had traveled with people adapting in India, in Ethiopia, in China, and in Uganda. I had never seen a black person like me doing so. I had never seen a male doing so.
So in my head, I think I believed the lie. I thought, I don't qualify because I'm single and I don't qualify because I'm black.
So when I walked in, it was more like, okay, here's the least you can let me be. Be a mentor. And the social worker looked at me and said, have you ever thought of being a foster dad? I was like, wait a minute, I don't qualify. I'm single.
She's like, so? Man, I was like, you mean I can foster that day? I mean, literally, that day I signed up to be a foster dad because now I had been helping kids in other countries. I would go see and help, but come back, but this time I wanted. it to be part of my everyday life.
And so four months later, you know, I had my first placement, you know, I had my first child and that began the whole journey and I knew how it felt to be neglected. I knew how it felt to have your own parents be your worst enemies. I knew what it meant to be called garbage every day. And also, I knew what it meant to live in a place where you did not feel it was your home. I live that every day that I thought I can impact at least one child.
And so it's been a great journey that I've had. 22 kids now. And right now I have six in my home. And it's been hard, but it's been a joy for sure. You know, I've adopted one, my son Anthony, and I'm in the process of adopting my three other ones.
You know, and I count it a blessing for sure, you know, that. Uh-huh. A one street kid in Uganda that had no food, I had no hope, that I can give hope.
So I had fostered about 10, 11 kids, and they had all gone back to their family.
So I think I wasn't, you know, I was. Demolized, kind of you see, kids come and we want them to go to their parents, absolutely. But when you do it over and over, it kind of leaves you empty and not angry, but just in pieces.
So, my number 10 and 11 had gone home on a Monday, and I told my social worker: I said, Look, I really need a break. I need a three-month break. Like, I cannot do this. And she said, Okay, this is Monday. On Friday, I get a phone call.
Hey sir, I was like Sister, it's not Three months yet. And she's like, Hey, there's a kid at the hospital that really needs help. Could you keep him just for the weekend? And I said, Absolutely, I would do so. But please do not tell me why in the false care because I didn't want to be attached.
So finally, he came at three in the morning. You know, the social hat to leave really quickly. I mean, he was in my house 20 minutes, and I told him, Hey, my name is Peter Mutabazi, but you can call me Peter because my African name is kind of hard. And he looked in my eyes and he says, Hey, but can I call you my dad? I'm like, Hell no, no, you can't call me that, you know.
But in my head, I think I was more like, Every kid I've had had coming dad, and they have all gone.
So you cannot be in my house. for 20 minutes and call me dad. And also I know you're leaving on Monday, so I don't want to be associated. I don't want to be called dad right now, you know? And then he looked back at me and said, You know, I was told since now I'm 11, I can choose who my father should be.
And I choose you. Man, I was like, this kid doesn't listen, does he?
So I said, no.
So finally they came to pick him up on Monday.
So this time after I signed the paperwork, I asked the social worker, I say, okay, so can you tell me the story, you know, why he's in the false care? Because I knew I have no responsibilities right now. and since he's up to go. A member of social worker said, Hey, you know, he was in the foster care when he was one year and a half. And then he was placed with a family, and this family adopted him at four.
And then, this same family that adopted him at four, they just dropped him at the hospital. They never said goodbye. They never gave him a reason why they didn't want it anymore. They never said one thing. They just left and went to the county and signed off their parental rights.
I mean, you should have seen me just Crying because I think it took me when I was 11, you know, 10, running away as a kid from my own family to see this kid that he'd been giving hope for nine years. And for some reason they just dropped him at the hospital and they did not want him any more. And I think I felt I was doing the same. I've always wanted to be a dad, and he's a kid who just somehow knew I would be his dad, and he called me by his dad name dad. I just can't let him go.
And so I told the social worker, I said, hey, you give me his paperwork. I think he already knew I'll be his dad.
So, you know, let me, let me. Um Let me take him. And so from there I knew he'd be my son and two years later he got to be adopted and we shared the same last name and it's cool. You know, most people ask me, man, he's lucky to have you. I'm like, no, I'm the lucky one.
He chose me to be his dad. and forever I'll be grateful, for sure, you know? Just like that from a weekend respite. to a family Forever.
So recently I became an American citizen.
So think about it took me 17 years to be an American citizen. You know, 2019 I finally became a US citizen. It was really awesome, you know, that I could finally cross that line. I never thought I could, you know, and it's truly been a joy. You know, I think even being a foster parent has really helped me in some way to feel like this is my country, these are my people, this is my community, that I feel indebted to this country to do the best I can to help others as well, but also to come alongside those that need us the most and contribute to the society.
Like I feel they have given me a place to breathe, a place to be free, a place to do things that I would never do. but also a place that I need to be responsible for that as well, to give back. to be responsible citizen. And contribute to what I can. And for me, fostering and advocating for kids, you know, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and anywhere in the United States is my next goal.
Like, my dream is truly to advocate for kids. You know, my dream, I would like to have a bigger house so I can have. 20 more teenagers that I will provide a home for them, you know. My dream is so I can have a place where they can feel they are safe and loved. You know, I live in Markenback County.
800 kids in the false care system, there's only 60 families that are forced to parents. Think about. 800 kids, 60 foster parents. That's crazy, you know? That I feel it's my community to truly say I will step in and do what I can to help.
You know, for those 800 that are looking for a place to be, I cannot take them all. But if I can help one. I've done my part, or if I can encourage someone else to think through and help one of them. Then I've done my part. Or if I can help someone and inspire them to help another family so they're able to do that or come alongside.
Then I've done my part, that we can all take part. you know, or even advocating for them through our legislature. And say, we want to help the kids so they can have a better future. This is our community. to do what we can to do.
We ought to help those in need. And a terrific job on the production, editing, and storytelling by Robbie Davis. and a special thanks to Peter Mutabatsi. And his remarkable book, Now I Am Known, is available at local bookstores. or Amazon, or wherever you get your books, and what a story to tell about love.
about love of a stranger. And what a heart this man has And on his heart was working to take care of and advocate for kids.
So many kids without fathers, so many kids without love. Here's an answer if our show does one thing to inspire you to imitate A guy like Peter, just one of you listening. This show is worth all the years we've been on air. The Story of Peter Mutabatsi. Here on Our American Story.
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