They fed, clothed and schooled him from the other side of the world now Peter Gitau has met the people he says saved his life.

Mr Gitau, 34, grew up in a Kenyan slum, living with his mother and brother in a house of mud and sticks, with a piece of corrugated iron for a roof. Suicide, abuse and prostitution were rife, and many of his childhood friends died young.

But in 1980 he was taken in by Starehe Boys' Centre, where he was able to play soccer, read books and have three meals a day.

Unknown to him, his food, shelter and schooling were funded by the Khandallah Young Anglicans, a Wellington youth group, through Save the Children.

Yesterday, with the help of The Dominion Post, Mr Gitau met former youth group members Kate Potter, her sister Sarah Cody, and Robert Matheson, at St Barnabas Anglican Church, where their group formed.

They remembered their fundraising efforts but had never expected to hear anything more.

"I never even gave it a second thought, we were just teenagers," Ms Potter said. "We did fundraising things car washes, babysitting, gardening and handyman stuff."

Mrs Cody said: "Everything we earned went into it. A bit went to pay for events but the rest went to Save the Children. I'm just really chuffed ... that money from a group of people made it to someone and was used so well."

Though the women did not know Mr Gitau existed until this week, he always knew where his "saviours" came from. "I never forgot the name Khandallah. I would not be here without you and by `here' I mean alive."

When he finished school, Mr Gitau earned teaching qualifications at university.

His Kiwi sponsors were always in the back of his mind. "But New Zealand was like this mythical place, like in children's stories when they start, `Once upon a time in a faraway land'."

The fairy tale continued when Mr Gitau met his Kiwi wife, Angela Wilton, when they were both working in Tanzania.

The couple moved here last year but they plan to return to Kenya and start a school there. "I think the most important thing you can give Africa is supporting education efforts," Mr Gitau said.

 Sue (centre) and friend are still raising funds for Save The Children Fund, New Zealand
August 2009 - Peter with Jackie who sponsored eight boys in Starehe between 1977 and 2002.      Among the Khandallah youth that raised funds for Peter  between 1980 and 1982.  From left, Kate Potter, Sarah Cody and Robert Matheson.