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Now I Am Known
At age ten, Peter Mutabazi ran away from home in rural Uganda to escape his abusive father. For five years Peter survived on the streets of Kampala, a city of 1.5 million, until one man saw potential in him. This one person not only supported Peter through school but altered Peter's outlook on life in every possible way. Since then, Peter has served as a relief coordinator during the Rwandan genocide, worked for the International Committee of Red Cross during the Sudan conflict, emigrated to the United States, fostered countless children, and become a single foster and adoptive parent. He speaks seven languages and has traveled to more than 100 countries as an international advocate for vulnerable children.
Now I Am Known is Peter's inspiring true story. In it he reveals the transformational power of taking risks, learning to forgive, overcoming self-doubt, breaking negative patterns, and believing in a better future. He becomes a friend in this must-read, encouraging you to propel forward into a purpose-driven life marked by hope and meaning.
Now I Am Known is Peter's inspiring true story. In it he reveals the transformational power of taking risks, learning to forgive, overcoming self-doubt, breaking negative patterns, and believing in a better future. He becomes a friend in this must-read, encouraging you to propel forward into a purpose-driven life marked by hope and meaning.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2022
105 people are currently reading
2830 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
August 18, 2022
Really good story, illuminates a lot of the realities for vulnerable children in east Africa. The story arc from Peter’s childhood to him becoming a father through fostering and then adoption is inspiring and a good thread throughout the book. I only knew of him through his social media which I’m not big into in general, but learning his history and his heart was much more substantive. Good book, good story and an easy read.
August 24, 2022
An excellent apologetic for fostering children! This book tells the author’s story from living in desperate poverty to being welcomed into a home, given a chance at an education and eventually becoming heavily involved in the foster care system. The story is moving and a true page-turner. It moves along quickly and is fascinating. His message is summed up in the title: you are known, you are loved, and you are valuable. Well worth the read, but prepare to have your heart challenged and changed.
August 25, 2022
A brutally honest story of Peter's childhood. The story continues with his years into adulthood and how he overcame his unimaginable past to become the man he is today. A must read about a man giving back and paying it forward.
August 30, 2022
Many children the world over tragically experience trauma in childhood, but few are able to muster the courage to take action to escape abuse and eventually create something wonderful with their lives. As a child in Uganda, Peter Mutabazi became a street kid to avoid further abuse at home, with little hope of even surviving to adulthood. He spent days negotiating with people by offering to help them in exchange for food, and seeking safe places to sleep, all the while in survival mode, doing whatever it took to survive from one day to the next.
Fortunately, a kind man saw something worth saving in Peter and asked him if he’d attend school if given the opportunity. It took a lot for Peter to trust this man, but he made a good decision that ultimately changed his life. Peter was then able to go to school and get an education, which lead to his ability to help other children in need. Peter has traveled all over the world, worked for many organizations to help save children from poverty and abuse, and today he is an amazing single foster dad. Peter is a shining light of humanity as well as a kind, loving, patient, stable, and exemplary father figure for children in the foster care system. He knows that children need, above all else, love, and to know that they matter and have no need to fear as long as they’re with him. People with hearts as pure as Peter’s are rare and should be treasured. This book should be read by everyone concerned about abused or neglected children in this world and those who care about what some children have to go through in their lives just to survive. It should actually be read by everyone. It is an amazing story of a little boy in Uganda who became the beacon he is today in extending loving care to foster children in a system that so badly needs more like Peter. Buy and read this book to help restore your faith in humanity.
Fortunately, a kind man saw something worth saving in Peter and asked him if he’d attend school if given the opportunity. It took a lot for Peter to trust this man, but he made a good decision that ultimately changed his life. Peter was then able to go to school and get an education, which lead to his ability to help other children in need. Peter has traveled all over the world, worked for many organizations to help save children from poverty and abuse, and today he is an amazing single foster dad. Peter is a shining light of humanity as well as a kind, loving, patient, stable, and exemplary father figure for children in the foster care system. He knows that children need, above all else, love, and to know that they matter and have no need to fear as long as they’re with him. People with hearts as pure as Peter’s are rare and should be treasured. This book should be read by everyone concerned about abused or neglected children in this world and those who care about what some children have to go through in their lives just to survive. It should actually be read by everyone. It is an amazing story of a little boy in Uganda who became the beacon he is today in extending loving care to foster children in a system that so badly needs more like Peter. Buy and read this book to help restore your faith in humanity.
June 28, 2024
An incredible story!
As a foster carer, this book was so encouraging, inspiring, informative and moving. What a blessing Peter must be to the children he cares for. Reading how he felt as a teenager in Uganda entering a whole new world has helped me be more aware of what it’s like for the children we welcome into our home, as well as giving us hope that what we do makes a difference. Highly recommended.
As a foster carer, this book was so encouraging, inspiring, informative and moving. What a blessing Peter must be to the children he cares for. Reading how he felt as a teenager in Uganda entering a whole new world has helped me be more aware of what it’s like for the children we welcome into our home, as well as giving us hope that what we do makes a difference. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2025
Over the past several years, I've occasionally had content posted by @fosterdadflipper recommended to me on Instagram ... probably because I follow other creators who post foster care content, but I've never followed him or anything. I will be now! His book was recommended to me by one of the trainers during training to become a foster parent, and I immediately reserved it from the library. The book itself, a memoir, does not focus on foster care. Instead it follows the author's life from an early childhood of poverty and abuse to running away around 9 or 10 years old and surviving on the streets until someone kind not only took notice but also took action and got involved in a way that changed a life forever. After going from street kid to boarding school, Peter went on to multiple degrees from multiple countries and found a career in advocacy and relief work. A career he ultimately sacrificed to become a foster parent.
Definitely a worthwhile read from many angles.
Definitely a worthwhile read from many angles.
October 24, 2022
This powerful true story is hard to put down. Peter Mutabazi shares about his childhood suffering from his father's abuse, his years living on the street in his home country of Uganda, and the powerful transformation that took place in his life after a man paid for him to attend school. Mutabazi writes in a very honest, raw way about the effects of his trauma and how difficult it was for him to learn how to trust people, and he shows how he has used his terrible experiences to help him sympathize with others, including the children in his current adoptive and foster family.
Because Mutabazi is so honest and forthright about the horrors he experienced growing up, this book warrants a trigger warning for others who have experienced trauma. The book depicts scenes of personal and community violence, including the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide, which Mutabazi witnessed as an aid worker. However, even though people should go into this book with accurate expectations so that they're not caught off guard, the story is filled with hope, redemption, and healing. Mutabazi's testimony of faith in God and gradual healing from trauma are incredibly meaningful.
Now I Am Known is a wonderful book for people who want to better understand and sympathize with trauma survivors, and for people who have been through similar things and are in a stable enough place to process Mutabazi's story. I am thankful for his courage in laying so many difficult aspects of his life bare, and am inspired by his ministry and his desire to reach out to others. This would be an excellent book for individual reading and for book clubs, and for church ministry groups to read together.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Because Mutabazi is so honest and forthright about the horrors he experienced growing up, this book warrants a trigger warning for others who have experienced trauma. The book depicts scenes of personal and community violence, including the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide, which Mutabazi witnessed as an aid worker. However, even though people should go into this book with accurate expectations so that they're not caught off guard, the story is filled with hope, redemption, and healing. Mutabazi's testimony of faith in God and gradual healing from trauma are incredibly meaningful.
Now I Am Known is a wonderful book for people who want to better understand and sympathize with trauma survivors, and for people who have been through similar things and are in a stable enough place to process Mutabazi's story. I am thankful for his courage in laying so many difficult aspects of his life bare, and am inspired by his ministry and his desire to reach out to others. This would be an excellent book for individual reading and for book clubs, and for church ministry groups to read together.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2022
Wow! What an inspirational book. Peter shows us that the light that is within us all can turn even the harshest of life situations around. No one is too damaged to open to love and live a happy and fulfilling life.
This book is well written and contains just the right amount of detail and information.
The only time I was disappointed is when I turned a page and discovered that I had finished the last chapter!
This book is well written and contains just the right amount of detail and information.
The only time I was disappointed is when I turned a page and discovered that I had finished the last chapter!
June 24, 2023
Wow, I loved this book so much and flew through it. I stumbled across Peters instagram and saw his new book, my curiosity was piqued for several reasons. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent. I believe every person can relate to some piece of his story and come away encouraged, challenged, and inspired. Read it!
September 2, 2022
Message to Peter, I read your new book cover to cover yesterday! I learned so much! Your life is incredibly inspiring! Praise God for the gift that you are to suffering and misunderstood children everywhere! May He continue to make your path clear, and equip and bless you on your journey!
January 6, 2023
A young boy who faces unimaginable challenges while growing up gets the opportunity to earn an education. Then he uses that knowledge to transform the lives of hurting kids around the world. His love for children in crisis has become his lifelong work.
September 16, 2022
This is the BEST book I’ve read all year! One of my all time favorites.
I knew a little bit about Peter’s story from probably something I saw on YouTube several years back. Then YouTube recently recommended a new video; which was Peter and his son Anthony and other siblings. I watched a little, checked out his book and preordered it. Then forgot about it; busy life at the moment. The book came and I had no expectations. But then I started to read and I couldn’t put it down. Until I got toward the end, and then I didn’t want to pick it up — I didn’t want it to end!
I could listen to Peter’s life story all day. He’s been through a lot, which I wasn’t expecting to find out. His life is a wonderful success story.
I enjoyed reading about Peter and his father and how he forgave him and grew strength from their fractured relationship. I can’t believe such a young boy would leave home and live on the streets. And to have so many people offer to help him along the way, ultimately shows his personality is infectious, as can be see in his YouTube videos and interviews and even this book! How can you not want to help him?
I didn’t realize that Peter had worked tirelessly for so long working with children organizations. And when he commits to something, he commits! I would have loved to have heard if Peter visited James and Martha years later or what they thought of his success now.
Peter, you are amazing and an inspiration. I truly hope your book becomes a best seller and wins awards; I know that’s not your goal, but the recognition is deserved. Thank you for sharing your story. All the best!!
I knew a little bit about Peter’s story from probably something I saw on YouTube several years back. Then YouTube recently recommended a new video; which was Peter and his son Anthony and other siblings. I watched a little, checked out his book and preordered it. Then forgot about it; busy life at the moment. The book came and I had no expectations. But then I started to read and I couldn’t put it down. Until I got toward the end, and then I didn’t want to pick it up — I didn’t want it to end!
I could listen to Peter’s life story all day. He’s been through a lot, which I wasn’t expecting to find out. His life is a wonderful success story.
I enjoyed reading about Peter and his father and how he forgave him and grew strength from their fractured relationship. I can’t believe such a young boy would leave home and live on the streets. And to have so many people offer to help him along the way, ultimately shows his personality is infectious, as can be see in his YouTube videos and interviews and even this book! How can you not want to help him?
I didn’t realize that Peter had worked tirelessly for so long working with children organizations. And when he commits to something, he commits! I would have loved to have heard if Peter visited James and Martha years later or what they thought of his success now.
Peter, you are amazing and an inspiration. I truly hope your book becomes a best seller and wins awards; I know that’s not your goal, but the recognition is deserved. Thank you for sharing your story. All the best!!
October 6, 2022
This is book is about so many hard things: abuse, trauma, human dignity, abject poverty, hunger, desperation, and man’s inhumanity to man. But this is a redemption story. Sacrifice, generosity, opportunity, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love run as powerful themes. In a series of events that can only be explained by the strong and sovereign hand of God, an abused, impoverished African child is raised up to become a man who impacts thousands of children living in poverty all over the world. But Peter didn’t stop there. He brought that self-sacrificial love directly to his home by becoming a foster parent to American youth. I hope that Peter will someday write more on his experience as a foster parent and adoptive dad. His words on the topic are both challenging and illuminating.
May 29, 2023
This book is life-changing. I feel inspired and challenged. Peter’s story moves me. His ability to say YES made him the man he is today. Peter has changed the lives of so many children in our world, including right here in our own country. I highly recommend this book. You'll learn to forgive, appreciate the small things, and make a difference in the lives of children. 💗
March 7, 2023
Heartbreaking and hopeful, I couldn’t put it down. This was especially powerful to read since I work for World Vision and we help vulnerable children, just like Peter was, all around the world.
November 25, 2024
I follow Peter on Instagram. Amazing man with a wonderful family. Inspiring story. God is good.
January 21, 2026
Totally incredible. Everyone would enjoy this book! (My opinion of course…)
October 29, 2025
The book is formatted very well. It’s a worthwhile read. I do wish there were some more details, but I also understand that some of the subject matter is really heavy. I identified with the author, having had some similar experiences. I feel this book really speaks to the importance of sustained support, cultivating and maintaining friendships, understanding pure luck, and walking through doors when they are open for you.
I couldn’t help but think while reading this book that for every person who makes it in life, there are so many well-intentioned, good people who fall through life’s “cracks.” It’s troubling and true.
An excerpt that spoke to me and made me cry was:
“..no one has to tell you that you don’t matter and that you don’t belong. You live that reality. You become invisible, a throwaway.. ..no one seems to want.. ..with no one upon you can depend..”
The author says the above in reference to children, but throughout my life and work I’ve met many children who grew into adults with those same pains — pains that I know all too well.
Highly recommend this book. It’s a fast read. I just wish there were more depth and detail, though I understand why it’s not there.
Warning: there are some things in this book that may trigger past PTSD.
I couldn’t help but think while reading this book that for every person who makes it in life, there are so many well-intentioned, good people who fall through life’s “cracks.” It’s troubling and true.
An excerpt that spoke to me and made me cry was:
“..no one has to tell you that you don’t matter and that you don’t belong. You live that reality. You become invisible, a throwaway.. ..no one seems to want.. ..with no one upon you can depend..”
The author says the above in reference to children, but throughout my life and work I’ve met many children who grew into adults with those same pains — pains that I know all too well.
Highly recommend this book. It’s a fast read. I just wish there were more depth and detail, though I understand why it’s not there.
Warning: there are some things in this book that may trigger past PTSD.
July 26, 2023
Wow! An incredibly inspirational book! The author is brutally honest in the telling of his childhood. A wonderful book about grace and forgiveness, overcoming unimaginable obstacles, and becoming a devoted and loving father. Highly recommend!
May 20, 2025
I stumbled across Mutabazi on Instagram, and admire his message and platform. He has overcome so much, and changed many lives. His book is well-written, heartfelt, and inspiring. I felt honored to read his story, and grateful he shared it with the world.
August 9, 2023
Peter is an inspiring human who vulnerably and honestly shares his complicated journey to being a foster parent. This is an easy read that keeps you wondering what will happen in Peter's life next
January 15, 2024
Heartbreaking. Inspiring. Convicting. I read this book in one day because it was that incredible. Peter has a life story to tell like no other, and he told it beautifully in this book. Touched my heart and soul in every possible way.
January 15, 2024
Quick, but inspiring read. 5/5⭐️s
August 27, 2025
powerful memoir
January 18, 2023
This is a beautiful story of rising up out of difficult circumstances and lifting others along the way. It helped me better understand that people only know what they know and we need to be patient as they figure out how to find their best path in life.
March 11, 2025
Such a heartwarming autobiography about an amazing human who makes such a positive difference from where he started in life!
March 18, 2025
I could not stop...his life story is incredible. Seeing his videos on FB is one thing, but to hear his past and how it has led him to love and care for so many children is amazing. Thankful to God for testimonies like Peter's because they will encourage others to sponsor and foster children that deserve to be loved.
September 7, 2022
I have been following Peter on Instagram for a while and was excited to hear he wrote his life story recently. What an inspiration! While his journey is unimaginable, his reflections are so valuable. So many people influenced how he became the man he is now. Best of all he uses all the lessons he has learned to foster children. His insight and reflections are so insightful. Thank you for sharing!
September 7, 2022
An exceptional story and important insight into not only Peter's life, but the life of all kids from trauma. He explained the things he went through in a way that clearly showed how those events impacted him later in life. He also showed what each of us can be doing to help kids anywhere from our own city to across the world learn the same lessons he did. A very worthy read.
September 8, 2022
Such an excellent book. An easy read and eye opening to the realities of our world.
As a foster dad myself I look for examples like the life of Mr. Mutabazi to keep me going and to provide perspective. This book does all of that and more.
As a foster dad myself I look for examples like the life of Mr. Mutabazi to keep me going and to provide perspective. This book does all of that and more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews