The Dolly Hope Foundation inspires people in Northern Pakistan through skills and opportunity
It All Starts with a Conversation
We sit with community elders over tea. We listen to mothers who want better for their children. We meet young people who dream of becoming teachers, tailors, healers, or leaders. From these stories, we build programs
Our Mission
Empowering people with practical skills, mentorship, and support so they can build confidence, pursue opportunity, and contribute meaningfully to a more equitable society
Rooted in legacy, Growing through community
The Dolly Hope Foundation honors the legacy of Daulat “Dolly” Saju, whose grassroots activism championed dignity, education, and opportunity across South Asia. Inspired by her values, we work to expand access to practical skills, education, and long-term independence for communities in Northern Pakistan.
Our approach is deeply rooted in local culture, partnership, and respect. We collaborate closely with community leaders to design training and support programs that are not only effective—but also authentically relevant to the lives they aim to impact.
In 2026, we’ll open our first major initiative: the Marah Training Centre in Gilgit, offering hands-on programs in cosmetology, traditional crafts, food preservation, and language learning. These skills empower both women and men to lead, launch businesses, and uplift their communities—proving that when people thrive, so does everything around them.
Core Values
Empowerment
•
Education
•
Equity
•
Empowerment • Education • Equity •
A Word From Our Founder
“From my mother, Dolly, I learned that true generosity is quiet, grounded in attentive listening before any action is taken. My father, Sherali, showed me that vision without discipline is just a wish. Dolly Hope Foundation is my attempt to braid those lessons together.
We begin by asking people what progress looks like in their own words, on their own timelines. Then we stand beside them with practical tools: a pair of shears, a sturdy cow, a micro-loan small enough to succeed and big enough to matter.
If you choose to walk with us, know that every step is guided by local voices, measured by shared accountability, and powered by a belief I learned at home: that when women rise, entire valleys rise with them.”
- Yasmin Shariff