Jewellery making a source of self-employment for Garam Chashma youth

Jewellery made from precious stones has been a source of self-employment for the youths of Garam Chashma over the years due to availability of raw materials, training facilities and cheap electricity. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) had sent a group of youth, including women, to Gilgit in 2014 to receive training as artisans. These trained men and women then established a gems and jewellery centre in Garam Chashma as a venture of youth self-employment. Fauzia Gul, one of the founders of the centre, said that AKRSP had also provided the artisans with a chance of displaying their products in national exhibitions where they received recognition due to the quality of the products.