Biographies of the Heroes:

Geoffrey Griffin

All text and images are 2007 Christopher Sunami.
(Illustrations by Michael Krone)
All rights reserved.
No duplication in any form
except by written permission of the author.
Reprinted here by permission.

Geoffrey Griffin was born as the child of British colonialists on June 13, 1933 in Eldoret, Kenya. Upon the outbreak of the Mau Mau Rebellion, he enlisted in the colonialist army, but subsequently became a supporter of Kenyan independence. Near the end of the uprising he rescued two thousand children from a high-security detention camp, building for them a highly successful rehabilitative and educational facility. Griffin later went on to found the Kenyan National Youth Service, as well as the internationally acclaimed Starehe Boys Centre and School, where he served as director until his death on June 28, 2005.

He was honored as a Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear in 1970, a Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya in 1986, and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. He was given the Kenya National Human Rights Commission Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He was sometimes criticized for supporting the political status quo and for neglecting the education of girls; yet these failings were eclipsed by his achievement in creating a world-class educational institution serving some of the most destitute and disenfranchised children in the world. Griffin was a non-denominated Protestant. Notable Attributes:

Notable Attributes:

Inclusivity, Mentiveness, Activism, Jesus Vision, Commitment

Principles:

Take Responsibility
Forgive Yourself & Move Forward
Serve the Least
Be Inclusive
Honor service
Mentor Others
Invest in People
Be Committed
Love Generously