Scholarship Challenge: A Summit of Service

From the Swiss Alps via Kenya to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, two Aiglon staff and an alumnus are embarking on a five-day trek - a Summit of Service - to raise funds for the Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centre Endowment Fund and for the Aiglon Scholarship Programme.

This adventure was initiated by Kanyi Maina (Alpina, 2006) to coincide with a personal milestone. He will celebrate his 40th birthday and 20th anniversary of graduating from Aiglon, marking a special opportunity for him to complete the philanthropic circle.

A Scholarship which Expanded a Lifetime of Opportunities 

Kanyi Maina (Alpina, 2006) embodies the full circle of philanthropy. His journey began with transformative scholarships at Starehe, Aiglon, and Stanford University, leading to a career dedicated to uplifting his Nairobi community through business and civic leadership. Kanyi received the 2025 Aiglon Values In Action Award and is marking his 40th birthday by paying it forward. He is dedicating this milestone to the institutions that first gave him a "leg up"—Starehe and Aiglon—ensuring the next generation can have the same opportunities that defined his success.

The Aiglon Values in Action Award celebrates alumni service to the external community. Once a year, during the summer term Graduation Ceremony, this can be presented to an Aiglon alumnus/a for commitment and application of the School’s guiding principles in their post-Aiglon life to their community and the wider world.

“Aiglon and Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centre share a deeply held set of values. Both are members of Round Square and believe in internationalism, adventure, leadership and service” stated Nicola Sparrow, School Director at Aiglon College. “This initiative, led by a Starehe and Aiglon alumnus, is a creative and inspiring manifestation of these principles. We are excited to once again collaborate with our long-time partner schools to help support our scholarship programmes.” 

Climbing Peaks: A Community Effort 

The trek will take place from 6-12 February 2026 via the Marangu route. Kanyi will be joined by two Aiglon staff, Andy Croft (Director of Operations) and Kirsty Matthews (Partnerships Officer) alongside an additional nine Starehe alumni and staff members. 

“Seventy-five percent of the students at Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centre are on full scholarships” stated Kanyi Maina. “ Without this support, they would not get a secondary education. The scholarship fund goes a long way to have an impact on their lives, as well as the lives of their families. I appeal to you to support in any way that you can towards this cause.” 

This adventure will conclude with a community celebration dinner at the Muthaiga Country Club in Nairobi. Nicola Sparrow and Karen Sandri, Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement will both be present to recognise the effort and engagement of all those involved in the trek. 

The Goal 

Our goal is to raise enough funds for five fully-endowed scholarships, a target of KES 5 Million (approximately CHF 30,000). Any funds beyond this target will then be directed to directly support Aiglon's Scholarship Fund. Help us reach the summit and support scholarships for Starehe and Aiglon. 

“It is a privilege to join this trek and support the Aiglon and Starehe scholarship initiatives. I am eager to embrace this incredible opportunity and the meaningful impact we will make together.” said Kirsty Matthews. “Having worked at Aiglon for 10 years, I have personally seen the impact that the scholarship programme has on the lives of the Aiglon community” stated Andy Croft. “ It is a privilege to visit Starehe, and hopefully ascend Mount Kilimanjaro. As a not-for-profit boarding school, we are set apart in our commitment to use the funds we raise solely to further our transformative educational programmes.” 

This year celebrates 27 years of Aiglon’s Partnership with Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centres in Kenya. We have welcomed 23 scholars to Aiglon to date. Both centres are Kenyan charitable institutions founded in 1959 by Geoffrey Griffin with a mission to provide care, education and character formation for children in need. Starehe nurtures discipline, responsibility and community-minded young men and women who will contribute meaningfully to society. 

Both the Starehe Boys’ and Girls’ Centres are supported by The Griffin Memorial Endowment Trust (GMET), which provides tuition bursaries and scholarships to students of both Centres.

“We have worked with Starehe for 27 years, therefore, we have developed a long-term relationship with them” stated Karen Sandri, Director of Philanthropy & Community. “That means that the school's staff really get to know Aiglon and its culture - and likewise we get to know them and their culture.” Aiglon scholars do not only need academic acumen: they need the ability to cope with a culture that will likely be very different from their own. “It’s beautiful to see this pattern of scholars - who have come through the doors at Starehe, come to Aiglon and gone to Stanford, MIT, Oxford or Boston University - coming back to Nairobi and having an impact there. The impact of the scholarship programme has a ripple effect on the whole community” she continues. 

The Gift of an Aiglon Education 

The Aiglon Scholarship is central to our philanthropic mission. Since 1991, Aiglon has welcomed 133 scholars into our mountain community. We currently have 20 scholars, with their education funded equally by our community and the school. We are incredibly grateful to the Aiglon Community for their support in providing the life-changing gift of an Aiglon education.

The impact of philanthropy can be seen on every page of Aiglon history, allowing the school to fully live its values and go further.