Our History

The Dolly Hope Foundation was founded in December 2024 as a continuation of a family tradition rooted in quiet service, long-term vision, and belief in women’s capacity to transform communities.

At the center of this legacy is Dolly Saju, a community matriarch whose efforts across Pakistan spanned decades. She supported young women’s access to university education, assisted in the development of housing and community infrastructure, and helped expand women's involvement in agriculture, care work, and local enterprise. Her philanthropy wasn’t shaped by visibility or recognition but rather by her presence, by showing up when families needed a scholarship, a roof, or a start.

Her husband, Sherali Saju, brought the same values to his work. Known for his integrity and strategic thinking, Sherali played a pivotal role in supporting and scaling many of the family’s initiatives while ensuring that every effort remained community-centred. Together, Dolly and Sherali laid a foundation of trust that spanned villages, sectors, and generations.

Their daughter Yasmin Shariff formalized that legacy through the Dolly Hope Foundation. A long-time volunteer in international development and community organizing, Yasmin had already spent years supporting initiatives in Central and South Asia, from educational workshops in Gilgit to cross-cultural programs in Tajikistan and Kenya. The Foundation draws on these global insights, but its roots are local. The goal is direct: provide women in Gilgit-Baltistan with the tools, training, and support they need to build independent, stable livelihoods.

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In The Present Day

In March 2025, the Dolly Hope team completed its first field visit to Hunza and Ghizer, meeting with local women, youth, elders, and organizations. Days were spent in dialogue at homes, community centers, and religious institutions, learning what women need most, what already works, and where meaningful gaps remain. This on-the-ground research now informs our program design, from vocational training centres in hair and aesthetics to livestock distribution, veterinary education, and micro-finance for female-led businesses.

We work in a region that is visually stunning but economically constrained. In Gilgit-Baltistan, many women face limited access to markets, mobility, and capital. The Foundation’s programming is built to address these realities by supporting existing knowledge and leadership within the community.

Today, the Dolly Hope Foundation operates as a Canadian-registered non-profit with an evolving footprint in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. We work in close collaboration with trusted local partners, including community organizations, educators, and grassroots leaders, who bring deep insight and experience to every initiative. 

Our binational structure allows us to uphold strong governance and financial accountability while staying closely connected to the realities on the ground. From donor reporting to program delivery, we are committed to transparency, cultural responsiveness, and clear, ethical stewardship of resources. Every decision is guided by the question: Will this create a meaningful, lasting impact for the women we serve?

March 2025 — Local Assessment

Our team met women, elders, and partners in Hunza & Ghizer to identify real needs and co-design every program.

Mission & Services Finalized

Insights from the trip shaped a clear mission and four core services: vocational training, livestock support, micro-loans, and wellness initiatives.

Incorporated in Canada & BC

Dolly Hope is a fully registered not-for-profit society, guided by bylaws, an active board, and transparent governance.

Working Toward Charitable Status

We’re finalizing strong financial controls and transparent reporting so we can secure official charitable registration and provide tax-deductible receipts to donors.

Pakistan Incorporation Underway

Working with legal consultants to register locally and secure an SECP Section 42 licence, strengthening our on-the-ground presence.

Program Roll-out Late 2025

Training centres open and livestock distribution begins this year, with our first impact report scheduled for early 2026.

FAQs

  • There are several ways to support the Dolly Hope Foundation’s mission. While donations will be open in the near future, you can already contribute by spreading the word, joining our network, or volunteering your time and skills. We welcome individuals with experience in education, communications, or nonprofit development—both locally and remotely. If you're part of an organization, you can also explore partnership or sponsorship opportunities to help us grow our impact. Every effort brings us closer to a future where women have the tools to lead and thrive.

  • The Dolly Hope Foundation is currently registered as a non-profit organization in Canada. Our long-term goal is to obtain charitable status to expand our impact and provide tax-deductible receipts to donors in the future.

  • We are rooted in a legacy of community-based philanthropy—not driven by external agendas, but by the lived experiences of the people we serve. Unlike many organizations that bring in Western-centric models, the Dolly Hope Foundation is committed to locally grounded, culturally responsive solutions. Our programs are developed in partnership with communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, ensuring that women receive the tools they ask for—not what outsiders assume they need.

  • Our groundwork began in December 2024, and we conducted our first field visit to Hunza and Ghizer in March 2025. Since then, we’ve been actively building partnerships, finalizing program plans, and preparing for on-the-ground implementation. While full-scale programs will launch in phases beginning later this year, foundational steps—such as community engagement, curriculum development, and livestock sourcing—are already in motion.