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A weathered metal cart with four wheels stands on a brick floor beneath a curved metal canopy. The cart’s flat bed holds several pieces of wood and a woven mat, while a long shelf mounted behind it carries bottles and containers. A sink is attached to the wall beside the shelf, and a broom leans against the wall nearby. A black bag rests on the ground beside the cart, and a green hose lies coiled outside near a trash bin.
  • 1 facilitator

Tuesday 3 November 2026

An old pushcart for a new community tea space

Facilitated by Shabana K H

What the work needed: people, time, money, space and materials.
What went in
An old pushcart bought for repair and reuse, along with discussions about how the tea space could work for local women and children.

What was done with those inputs, step by step.

We bought an old pushcart that was going to be sold as scrap. We plan to repair it and use it for a tea space in aikyam’s Verandah.
The idea is to create a familiar place for women and children, especially those from marginalised communities. Women should feel comfortable coming here to meet, talk, rest and have tea. We are still planning how to make this a place they feel is their own.

What changed for the people who took part, and what showed it.

We now have a pushcart to work on for the tea space. It needs repairs before it can be used.

What the team will keep or change next time.

Getting the cart is a first step. We also need to understand what would make local women feel comfortable coming and spending time here. The next step is to speak with them, including women who do not already visit aikyam, before deciding how the space should work.

Othersaikyam spaceShabana K Haikyam space

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