Story
The Founding Story of GODO
June 21, 2026
GODO was born out of one man's response to a hard truth he could not ignore. Elphas Amon Kaaya founded the organization, and his son Macdonald continues the mission today.
<p>Global Orphanage Development Organization was born out of one man's response to a hard truth he could not ignore. Elphas Amon Kaaya, moved by the harsh and impoverished conditions facing so many orphaned and vulnerable children across African communities, resolved to build a lasting foundation — one that would give children not just short-term charity, but a genuine, structured pathway toward social and economic self-reliance.Elphas envisioned an organization that would provide education and accommodation to orphans, sending them to school and equipping them with self-dependence education alongside temporary shelter. He believed that combining self-awareness, economic and social education would give children the self-confidence and independence to build their own futures.Following Elphas Amon Kaaya's passing in 2016, his son, Macdonald Elphas Amon, was moved to continue his father's work. Motivated by a deep personal commitment to his father's legacy, Macdonald has carried GODO forward, preserving its founding values while expanding its reach to support more children across Arusha.**ELPHAS AMON KAAYA — FOUNDER (1ST GENERATION)**
Elphas Amon Kaaya founded Global Orphanage Development Organization out of a deep concern for the welfare of orphaned and street children in Tanzania. His firsthand experience of the difficult realities facing children without family support led him to create an organization grounded in practical care: food, shelter, schooling, and the self-dependence education needed for a genuine path forward.**MACDONALD ELPHAS AMON — FOUNDER (2ND GENERATION)**
Macdonald Elphas Amon took up his father's mission after Elphas's passing in 2016. Since then, he has led GODO's continued growth — upholding the founding principles of dignity, education and self-reliance while working to reach more children in need across Arusha City and the surrounding communities."We believe education — self-awareness, economic and social — is what turns a vulnerable child into a confident, self-dependent adult. That belief is the foundation of everything we do." — GODO Founding Philosophy**Our Legacy Going Forward:**
What began as one family's response to hardship in their community has become a structured, member-governed organization with a formal constitution, elected leadership, and a growing network of programs. GODO remains committed to the founding belief that every orphaned or street child deserves the chance to become a confident, self-reliant adult.</p>
Elphas Amon Kaaya founded Global Orphanage Development Organization out of a deep concern for the welfare of orphaned and street children in Tanzania. His firsthand experience of the difficult realities facing children without family support led him to create an organization grounded in practical care: food, shelter, schooling, and the self-dependence education needed for a genuine path forward.**MACDONALD ELPHAS AMON — FOUNDER (2ND GENERATION)**
Macdonald Elphas Amon took up his father's mission after Elphas's passing in 2016. Since then, he has led GODO's continued growth — upholding the founding principles of dignity, education and self-reliance while working to reach more children in need across Arusha City and the surrounding communities."We believe education — self-awareness, economic and social — is what turns a vulnerable child into a confident, self-dependent adult. That belief is the foundation of everything we do." — GODO Founding Philosophy**Our Legacy Going Forward:**
What began as one family's response to hardship in their community has become a structured, member-governed organization with a formal constitution, elected leadership, and a growing network of programs. GODO remains committed to the founding belief that every orphaned or street child deserves the chance to become a confident, self-reliant adult.</p>