FINAL WORDS OF DR GW GRIFFIN

READ TO THE SCHOOL AT HIS FINAL FAREWELL SERVICE

ON 8TH JULY 2005

My Dear Boys,

I have had a fruitful and happy life, and I have learnt one great lesson that I
would like to share with you. I hope that Starehe will always teach this
lesson – for as long as it does so, it will remain a great school.

This world is full of people who do their duty half-heartedly, grudgingly

and poorly. Don’t be like them. Whatever is your duty, do it as fully and
perfectly as you possibly can.

And when you have finished your duty, go on to spare some time and
talent in service for less fortunate people, not for any reward at all, but
because it is the right thing to do.

Follow my advice in this and I promise you that your lives will be happy
and successful.

May God bless you all.

Note: Dr Griffin prepared this message to his sons many years before he passed on,
with instructions that it was to be delivered to them at his funeral service. In his
characteristically simple manner, the message captured what he saw as the
foundational values of Starehe, and a guide to a happy and successful life: Duty,
Excellence, Service and Righteousness.