Growing up in the foster care system is incredibly difficult, and being adopted out of it is a joyous occasion. But for 13-year-old Tony Mutabazi, the joy of being adopted turned to heartbreak when the family that took him in abandoned him after seven years.
A Second Abandonment.
Tony Mutabazi spent years in the foster care system before finally being adopted by a couple in Oklahoma. However, at 11 years old, Tony’s adoptive family dropped him off at a hospital and never returned. This left Tony facing abandonment once again.
The weekend that changed everything.
After being abandoned for the second time, Tony’s foster care worker, Jessica Ward, reached out to Peter Mutabazi, who had been a foster parent for three years. Initially asked to take Tony for the weekend, Peter decided to legally adopt him after hearing Tony’s heartbreaking story.
A similar situation.
Peter Mutabazi, originally from Uganda, had a similar childhood, experiencing abuse before finding a parental figure. Sharing a deep connection to Tony’s story, Peter knew he had to become the father Tony needed.
The perfect match.
Peter and Tony’s bond led to Peter adopting Tony as his son. Now, they live in North Carolina, where Peter is helping Tony heal from the trauma of his past. Additionally, they plan to welcome another foster child into their home.
Foster Care in America
Peter and Tony’s story sheds light on the thousands of children in the American foster care system. The average age of children entering foster care is eight years old, and many spend years moving between foster homes and institutions, facing a challenging upbringing.
How you can help.
There are numerous ways to support foster children, from becoming a foster parent or adopting a child to volunteering with organizations or donating to children’s rights groups that support those in foster care.
Keep Reading: Woman Who Fostered 600 Kids in 50 Years Took in Anyone—Regardless of Age or Medical Condition
