Shad Foundation

Skilled Hands of Able and Differently Able "SHAD" Foundation came into being in 2006 as a small boutique called "Hajvery's".

Located in the commercial market of Chaklala Scheme 3, Rawalpindi, "Hajvery's" sold chic dresses for women and kids' that were designed by the owner of boutique Anjum Khan. The difference between "Hajvery's" and other fashion stores was its

workforce. Unlike other boutiques, "Hajvery's" worked entirely with women stitchers, training them in the art & craft of sewing and stitching, and then paying them for their hard work, once a sale was made through the boutique.

The employees of the boutique started to bring more women & girls to be trained for employment. From 2006 to 2008, "Hajvery's" professionally trained 20 women who became skilled earners for their families, as a result, the aggregate monthly income for these families increased substantially. These 20 women acquired new skills, gained self-confidence by stepping out of their homes and earning their own keep, and they spread the word about "Hajvery's".

In 2008, Anjum Khan the owner of “Hajvery’s” traveled abroad, and the boutique was shut down. When she returned in 2015, her residence was a highly sought-after place by women seeking upskillment and employment opportunities.

Shad Foundation came into being in order to serve this large and growing outreach created by “Hajvery’s” boutique. Since its registration in 2017, Shad Foundation has been engaged in community services including training, education, and employability of women, youth, and marginalized factions of communities living under poverty lines including differently able persons and transgender. Before COVID-19 and in its wake, we have witnessed incredible stories of resilience under need from our network of communities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and we are committed to continue serving them.

We are a small organization of working-class women and our work is reflective of our personal and professional experience which has been gained by surviving and thriving in Pakistan. We are passionate about sharing our practical life skills with those in our immediate neighborhoods who can benefit the most.

With the help of Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, Shad as a not-for-profit foundation is looking forward to expanding its services with enhanced capacity, new partnerships, and greater outreach to our communities.