The Early Days

The Legend-The Facts

Starehe was founded in 1959 by Geoffrey Griffin, assisted by Joseph Gikubu and the late Geoffrey Geturo, as an act of charity to care for and educate needy boys. Starehe began with 17 boys, sheltering in two tin huts which still stand. Partial initial funding was given by the Kenya Shell and BP companies, and these continues to be the largest local private sponsors to the present day.

Tin Huts-1959
Tin Huts - 1959 The Tin Huts-
Boarding students in their Room Still standing strong for archival purposes

Growth was slow until 1963 when the Save The Children Fund (UK) became interested and began to give aid (especially recurrent funding), later joining hands with OXFAM (which provided grants and buildings). SCF's president HRH the Princess Royal, has twice visited Starehe. Subsequent support has come from Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands, Canada (particularly British Columbia), Germany, Sweden, the United States of America, Austria, New Zealand and Australia.

[ Home ]Author's Homepage

Last modified: March 28, 2000