“I Know The Phrase ‘Usual Suspects’ Can Be Used When Another Black Boy Is Killed-But He Was My Son, My Heart.”

22nd September 202622nd September 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Charity, Havering, Knife Crime, Peguy Kato min read

Peguy Kato is spending her time fullfiling her son’s dream to build an orphanage in Congo in her son’s name.

‘He was and still is my son.’ Those heartbreaking words come from Peguy Kato, whose 17-year-old son Champion was stabbed 11 times after going out to play football with his friends. Peguy says she knows racism can be high towards black mothers and that the phrase ‘usual suspects’ can be used when another black boy loses his life on the streets of London. But he was her eldest son, the beat of her heart and the smile on her face. He was her son and nothing will ever take that pain away, regardless of peoples’ cruel views.

In 2011, Peguy was given the news no parent should ever have to hear.

Her son had been stabbed multiple times and had died.

Champion had gone to play football with his friends.

He never came home.

He was stabbed 12 times as he lay on the floor, killed for being in the wrong place.

More than a decade later, the pain of losing her eldest son remains with Peguy.

“No one should lose their life on our street. Champion went to play football and never came home.”

Champion had been linked to Arsenal Football Club and, like so many teenagers, had dreams for his future.

But he also had a dream that went far beyond football.

He had told his mum that once he started earning money, he wanted to build an orphanage in Congo for children living in poverty.

Champion never got the chance to make that dream a reality.

His mum has now taken it on herself.

During her six-week holiday in Congo, Peguy made time to visit the orphanage she has started building in Kinshasa.

And for her, being there with the children is deeply emotional.

“Whenever I go, I love being with the young people. I bring them clothes and food, cook for them, and just spend time. Their presence gives me so much joy.”

Peguy also visited elderly people and tried to support them in her own way.

She describes Congo as a beautiful and rich country, but says many families and young people continue to face poverty and difficult circumstances.

“These children need love, care, stability, and a safe place to call home.”

Building the orphanage has not been easy.

Peguy is a mother with her own children and responsibilities, while also carrying the devastating loss of Champion.

She has approached authorities and says promises of support have been made, but some have not yet become reality.

Yet she refuses to give up.

“This project is not for me. It is for these young people who deserve a safe place, a future, and someone who believes in them.”

Peguy says her determination comes from wanting to do something meaningful for her country while keeping her son’s dream alive.

“My heart is to contribute something meaningful to my country, and I am determined to finish what I started.”

She knows that many people may not pay much attention to what happens in Africa, but she wants people to understand why completing this project matters so deeply to her.

“I know people do not care much for what happens in Africa and there is a lot of anger in the country at the moment,” said Peguy, “but I am doing my best to fulfil my son’s wishes.”

For Peguy, Champion must never simply become another statistic.

He was a son.

He was a brother.

He was a teenager who loved football and had his whole life ahead of him.

And he was a young man who dreamed of helping children he had never even met.

“When Champion died, the light went out of my life. Myself and my family will never recover. We have learnt to live as best we can.”

She has also spoken about the way Black boys who lose their lives on London’s streets can sometimes be viewed and labelled.

But Peguy’s message is clear.

Before the circumstances surrounding his death, before anyone could point a finger and before anyone could make assumptions about him, Champion was simply her child.

“Before you point the finger at my son, he was just another teenager playing football with his whole life ahead of him.”

And now, every visit to Kinshasa brings Peguy closer to fulfilling the promise she made through her son’s dream.

Clothes.

Food.

Cooking.

Time spent with children.

And a building that she hopes will one day become a safe home for young people who desperately need one.

“Every contribution, every connection, every act of support can make a difference.”

Peguy is determined to finish what she started.

Not for herself.

But for Champion.

And for the children he wanted to help.