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aikyam space

aikyam space

aikyam space aspires to bring people together regularly — to increase the number of interactions local communities and households have with each other, and to improve the quality of those interactions.

What aikyam space did here

Show all 46 sessions
  • Four people stand under a covered outdoor area, facing away from the camera toward a street. One person stands barefoot on a wooden bench, reaching up to hang a long yellow garland from the ceiling. Another person holds a similar yellow garland. To the right, two more people stand near hanging wind chimes and additional garlands in red and white. A yellow car is parked outside on the street, visible through the open side of the shelter. Potted plants and greenery are visible in the background.

    Preparing the space for a community gathering

    22 August

    We started preparing aikyam space for a community program on 14 March 2024. The program was designed to bring people together. Community members were expected to participate, get to know one another better, and gradually feel more connected to the space as their own.

  • An orange tabby cat lies on a woven mat in the foreground, looking toward the camera. Behind it, on a paved patio, two other cats are visible—one standing and one lying down—with several potted plants arranged along the edge of a grassy area.

    The cats have made themselves at home

    7 August

    We continued to let cats hang about at aikyam space. As a pet-friendly place, we looked at small ways to make it even more welcoming for animals, so both people and pets could feel comfortable.

  • A two-story house with white walls and blue trim stands behind a cobblestone driveway. A bright yellow car is parked under a metal carport attached to the building. Lush green trees and bushes fill the left side of the scene, with potted plants near the entrance. The sky above is partly cloudy.

    Heavy rain paused all activities for the day

    1 August

    Due to heavy rainfall, we paused all activities at aikyam space for the day to ensure the safety of community members, children, and staff. The sessions could not take place as planned, but the break reminded us of the importance of putting safety first during extreme weather conditions.

  • A person in a plaid shirt and dark pants stands on a tiled floor, reaching up to paint a large mural on a wall. The mural features stylized human faces, abstract figures, floral patterns, and swirling blue waves against a dark blue background. A doorway in the center of the wall opens to a brightly lit room beyond.

    A mural of sea and dance began on the walls

    24 July · Curiosity Club

    Mr. Krishnan Ghosh painted a new mural on the walls of aikyam space. The artwork was inspired by the sea and dance, and it made the space more colourful and welcoming.

  • A man stands beside a whiteboard addressing a group of people seated on the floor in a room. The room has a window with patterned glass and curtains, and several framed pictures are arranged on the wall above the seated group. A clock hangs on the wall, and a fire extinguisher is visible near the seated individuals.

    The team played Albatross Soup together

    20 July

    We had a team-building session based on the “Albatross Soup” activity. We laughed, talked and solved problems together. By the end, we felt closer and remembered how important communication and teamwork are.

  • A person in a green dress stands on a brick patio holding a tall metal ladder while another person in a dark shirt and light trousers climbs it toward the underside of a covered roof. Several potted plants of various sizes are arranged on the ground nearby, with a large tree trunk beside the ladder. In the background, more greenery, a building with a red roof, overhead wires, and a person standing near a covered walkway are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

    Ropes went up for the climbing vegetables

    18 July

    We continued work in the kitchen garden with the installation of support ropes for creeper vegetables. We also cleaned leaf waste from the drainage ducts as part of regular maintenance, helping keep both the garden and the building in good condition.

  • A person in a blue shirt walks away down a paved street, pulling a large bundle of long green grass behind them. The street is lined with walls on both sides, and a few vehicles are visible in the distance.

    Roadside bamboo became supports in the kitchen garden

    6 July

    We started building our kitchen garden and needed supports for climbing vegetables. We first looked at buying old iron rods from a scrap shop. On the way there, we found bamboo poles that KSEB had cut during tree trimming and left by the roadside. We got permission and collected the bamboo, using it in our garden.

  • A person in a green dress stands on a paved courtyard holding a tall metal ladder steady while another person climbs it toward the underside of a covered roof structure. Several potted plants and small trees are arranged on the ground nearby, with a large tree trunk beside the ladder. In the background, a building with a red roof is visible under a partly cloudy sky, and overhead wires stretch across the scene.

    A water leak appeared and its source was not found

    20 June

    We noticed a water leak in the space this morning. It didn't stop the day's activities, but it reminded us that keeping the place in good condition is hard. We checked it out, but we couldn't find where the leak was coming from. We're still keeping an eye on it and trying to find a way to stop it from getting worse.

  • Five people sit around a long wooden table engaged in a craft activity involving small beads and containers. A woman wearing a light-colored headscarf and a dark patterned top sits on the left, working with materials in her hands. Across from her, three younger individuals and another woman are focused on similar tasks, using tools and handling small items. In the center of the table, a clear bowl holds a mix of colorful beads, surrounded by several small, brightly colored plastic containers in orange, red, yellow, and green. Additional supplies, including a clear plastic box and a blue container, are visible on the table surface. The setting appears to be indoors, with a window featuring decorative glass panes and curtains in the background, and shelves with jars mounted on the wall.

    Beading was shown as a possible way to earn

    13 June · Curiosity Club

    Children participated in a beading session, where they learned basic techniques while enjoying the creative process. The class also introduced the idea that such skills could become a livelihood opportunity for those interested in developing them further.

  • A woman in a long orange tunic stands beside a long wooden table, demonstrating something with her hands to a group of five children seated along the table. Four of the children are focused on small objects in front of them, while one child sits separately on a small wooden stool to the right, also handling small items. A potted plant stands in the corner behind the table, and a window with decorative glass panels is visible in the background.

    Children learned beading patterns and techniques

    6 June · Curiosity Club

    On 14 March 2024, we ran a beading session for children. We showed them different patterns, colours, and techniques. The children made their own creations and practised concentration, creativity, and fine motor skills. They also expressed their own ideas.

  • A group of women are gathered indoors for a photo, with some standing in a back row and others kneeling or sitting in front. They are dressed in various traditional outfits, including kurtas and salwar kameez in colors such as green, blue, yellow, pink, and brown. The room has wooden flooring and a large window or glass wall on the left side, through which greenery and potted plants are visible. Hanging decorative items are suspended from the ceiling above the group.

    Seventeen women from the palliative care community visited

    4 June

    On 14 March 2024, seventeen women from the palliative care community visited aikyam space for a meeting and documentation session. We provided a comfortable environment for their discussions and coordination. After the session, the group expressed appreciation for the space and said they were happy.

  • A group of children sit on the floor watching two adults standing near a low wooden table in a room with a wall-mounted screen. One adult wears a red headscarf and a patterned dress, while the other wears a patterned top and dark trousers. A girl in a pink striped shirt and jeans stands nearby with her hand on her hip. Several wooden tables are arranged in the room, and one table in the foreground has small objects arranged on its surface. A window with curtains is visible behind the screen.

    Children worked out maths by doing, not memorising

    30 May · Curiosity Club

    We ran a maths session for children on 14 March 2024. We did interactive activities, discussions, and problem-solving exercises. The session encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and confidence. Children understood concepts by participating instead of memorising. We made learning enjoyable and hands-on. The class created a space where children could explore mathematics with enthusiasm and ask questions freely.

  • A woman in a dark polka-dot dress leans over a long white table, writing on a sheet of paper with a pen. Behind her, several other women stand and watch, including one in a red top and another in a yellow shirt. A metal pitcher with a plant sits on the table, along with a row of small golden containers and a smartphone. The room has white walls and patterned chairs.

    The banana chips winner was published on catsofkochi.com

    30 May

    The banana chips tasting challenge, led by community members, brought together different chips from shops across Fort Kochi for a fun and detailed comparison. Participants tasted, discussed, and ranked each sample based on flavour, crunch, freshness, and overall experience. After many opinions and a few friendly debates, a clear winner emerged. The results and the best-rated banana chips in Fort Kochi can now be found on catsofkochi.com, helping others discover a local favourite through the community’s collective taste test.

  • Two young men stand at a long table covered with a white cloth, each holding a smartphone. The man in the foreground, wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans, reaches across the table toward a row of small metal bowls filled with yellow food. The man behind him, in a light-colored button-down shirt and dark jeans, looks down at his phone while standing barefoot. Several metal tumblers and a larger metal container are also on the table. In the background, a wooden doorway leads to another room, and a patterned chair is visible beside the table.

    Thirteen banana chips were tasted to find Fort Kochi's best

    26 May

    We held a banana chips tasting session with aikyam members at the space to find the best banana chips in Fort Kochi. We tasted around 13 different chips from local shops, comparing and discussing them on taste, crunch, oiliness, salt, and overall experience. It turned into a delicious debate. We are planning to do another one with community members soon.

  • A man in a light blue t-shirt and dark shorts stands indoors, extending his right hand toward a white and grey cat sitting on a wooden table. The cat faces the man, appearing to interact with his hand. The room has wooden tables and chairs, a wall-mounted fan, and windows with decorative grilles and green curtains. A potted plant sits on a surface near the window.

    Sriram admired the garden, and Cheeru joined in

    25 May

    Sriram visited the space and appreciated the garden area and the overall atmosphere at aikyam. 🐾 Cheeru also made sure to be part of the visit.

  • A paved driveway leads through a white gate toward a two-story building with a yellow bus parked in front, while three inset photos show groups of people indoors, one person sitting on the floor among papers, and people standing on a street beside buildings.

    A visit brought talk of the work going on here

    25 May

    The visit included conversations around community engagement, shared ideas, and ongoing initiatives happening within the space.

  • A group of people sit on floor cushions arranged in a circle around a low wooden table, facing a man who is speaking and gesturing toward a large screen mounted on the wall. The screen displays a presentation slide with bullet points and a logo at the bottom. The room has windows with curtains, and the attendees are dressed in casual clothing.

    A group met here to plan its community work

    21 May

    On 14 March 2024, we held a stakeholder meeting. People discussed community initiatives. We encouraged them to share ideas, build connections and plan future work.

  • A woman stands beside a long wooden table, guiding four boys seated along it as they work with yarn and crochet hooks. The boys are focused on their hands, manipulating colorful threads, while the woman demonstrates a technique with white yarn. Balls of yarn in various colors, including blue, pink, and red, are scattered on the table, along with scissors and other crafting tools. The setting appears to be indoors with wood-paneled walls behind them.

    The children finished the rest of the crochet class

    16 May · Curiosity Club

    The children gathered again for the final crochet class. They learned knots, loops, and simple patterns together. The session included curious questions, mindful concentration, and cheerful conversation.

  • A peacock with a blue neck and grey body stands on a patch of dirt among trees and bushes, while another peacock is partially visible behind a black metal chair on a grassy area. A plant with red and green leaves is in the foreground on the left, and more greenery fills the background.

    Some unexpected visitors from nature walked in

    16 May

    We had a few unexpected visitors walk into the space today, which made the day feel even more special. Nature sent us an invitation to slow down, observe, and enjoy the space around us.

  • A stone and metal gate opens onto a paved driveway leading to a two-story house surrounded by trees and shrubs. A small sign is mounted on the left gate pillar, and potted plants sit near the entrance.

    Shemeer and Rohit discussed fundraising for early-stage non-profits

    12 May

    Shemeer and Rohit discussed fundraising challenges for early stage non profits and how to navigate them.

  • A stone and metal gate opens onto a paved driveway leading to a two-story house surrounded by trees and shrubs. A small sign is mounted on the left gate pillar, and potted plants sit near the entrance.

    A visitor wrote down how the space felt

    12 May

    "aikyam felt like a mini world where people of different ages and backgrounds came together to learn, create, and feel a sense of belonging." — Rohit Sharma

  • Four people are seated on floor cushions around a low wooden table in a room with tiled flooring and windows. Three are on green cushions along the wall, and one is on a cushion beside the table. The table holds white mugs, a plate with food, a book, and a metal container. A brown bag rests on the floor behind one person.

    Pranava Institute surveyed technology barriers in Fort Kochi

    11 May

    We spoke with Dhanyashri from Pranava Institute, Delhi, about their survey on technology barriers faced by NGOs, Kudumbashree members, ASHA, and ICDS workers in Fort Kochi. After the discussion at the space, we went around the community to speak with people and understand their experiences and challenges with technology.

  • A group of seven people, including adults and children, sit around a long white table indoors, each engaged in a craft activity involving thread or string. On the table are various items including a red box, a smartphone, a tissue box, glass jars with plants, a woven basket, and a pink cloth. In the background, there are windows with decorative grilles, a standing fan, wooden furniture, and a doorway with curtains.

    Children picked up their first crochet loops and knots

    9 May · Curiosity Club

    The children gathered for the crochet class on 14 March 2024. We taught them simple looping and knotting techniques using colourful yarn. They practised patiently and helped each other. They made things with their own hands.

  • Four people are gathered in a room that appears to be a classroom or meeting space. On the left, two women sit on a low blue cushioned platform; one wears a light-colored patterned dress and the other a black top with jeans. On the right, a man in a red shirt sits behind a wooden desk, and a woman in a brown shirt sits opposite him, gesturing with her hands as she speaks. Papers and a water bottle are on the desk. Behind them, children's artwork hangs on the wall, and a window with curtains lets in light.

    The Community40 group met to check its progress

    12 April

    The Community40 group met at the space to discuss how things were going, what we wanted to achieve, and how we would do it. We talked about what we had already done and decided how to move forward.

  • A group of people gather in a circle, holding small metal cups filled with liquids of various colors, including white, yellow, and pale pink, as they bring them together in a toast.

    A team session ended with everyone out for lassi

    11 April

    We held a communication enabler session with the team. We talked to understand each other better and build stronger connections. Conversations continued outside, and we all went for a lassi break at the end of the day.

  • A large group of people poses together indoors in a room with light-colored walls and tiled flooring. Some individuals stand in the back row while others kneel or crouch in front. They are dressed in casual clothing, including shirts, kurtas, and jeans. One person wears a black t-shirt with white text and a star graphic. The room features a wooden door on the left, a window with yellow curtains in the background, and framed pictures hanging on the walls. A decorative circular item is mounted on the wall near the door.

    A Changemakers meeting looked at how people grow

    7 April

    Meeting as part of the Changemakers program, focusing on understanding their journey and approaches to growth.

  • A stone and metal gate opens onto a paved driveway leading to a two-story house surrounded by trees and shrubs. A small sign is mounted on the left gate pillar, and potted plants sit near the entrance.

    A festival in Fort Kochi kept most members away from the session

    29 March

    Our community members couldn’t attend today’s session as many were at a festival in Fort Kochi. We used the time to plan and prepare for the upcoming sessions.

  • A group of children sit on wooden benches at long tables in a classroom, facing an adult standing at the front near a whiteboard and windows. The room has a tiled floor and a doorway leading to another area.

    Nine children learned about the nervous system hands-on

    28 March · Curiosity Club

    Nine children from our community came together to learn about the human nervous system through simple explanations and hands-on activities.

  • A blue and grey striped fabric hangs draped over a thick, natural branch mounted horizontally against a plain white wall. The fabric is gathered at the top and falls in soft folds, with one side featuring a pattern of thin gold lines and a frayed edge. Thin cords suspend the branch from above.

    A saree photoshoot made use of the garden's good light

    27 March

    We took photos of handloom sarees in a garden and inside a room. The lighting was good, and the sarees looked clear and showed their details properly.

  • A group of people walks along a sandy beach carrying large white sacks, with some bending down to pick up items from the ground. In the background, several boats are moored near the shore, and fishing nets are stretched across poles extending over the water. Trees line the distant shoreline under a hazy sky.

    The team prepared for a beach clean-up expecting over 1,600 people

    27 March

    More than 1,600 people registered for Trash Hunt 4.0 at Fort Kochi Beach on 28 March, and more are still signing up. We worked to bring it together. We enjoyed the lunch Jasentha Chechi provided, and the pickles.

  • A person stands speaking to a group seated outdoors on plastic chairs, with a building and trees in the background.

    ARISE set goals for 2026 and mapped their stakeholders

    30 December

    We ran a program design workshop with ARISE, who work on mental health awareness and action in local communities through volunteering. The day covered compliance for non-profits, a review of the past year’s work, and goal setting for 2026 – including key stakeholders’ top three needs and draft impact levels L1 to L4. Yasar Arafath and Junide Khalid Odungat took part.

  • Three women stand side by side indoors, smiling toward the camera. The woman on the left wears a white T-shirt with dark text and graphics. The woman in the center wears a matching white T-shirt with similar text and graphics. The woman on the right wears a white headscarf and a white T-shirt with a dark patch on the sleeve. Behind them is a wooden shelving unit with books and small items, a window with light curtains, and a glass board with writing and notes on the wall to the right. A wooden table is visible on the left, and a bed with a black-and-white checkered cover is on the right.

    Three CDF fellows met in person for the first time

    27 March

    CDF STEM Femme fellows Fathima Hiba and Sharon C, with their programme manager Shana Shihab, came for the Tools for Storytelling Residency facilitated by aikyam fellows. The three met in person here for the first time. The residency included a website design session, and conversations about setting boundaries and about learning from stakeholders directly.

  • A collage of five photos shows groups of people in indoor settings, sitting on floors or chairs in circles or small clusters, engaged in discussion or activities with papers and sticky notes on the floor and walls.

    ARPO's team mapped who holds power over their work

    24 March

    Sruthin Lal ran a workshop for ARPO’s new team on values, teamwork and shared purpose. One exercise mapped stakeholders against power and impact. The tribal and dalit cultural practitioners ARPO works with were shown to be most affected by its projects but hold the least power in shaping them.

  • A group of thirteen people pose together indoors, arranged in three rows with some standing and some seated or crouching in front. They are smiling and looking toward the camera. Behind them are light-colored curtains and a wooden shelf holding books and other items, with a yellow poster and a blue sign visible on the shelf.

    Queers Out and About held their first Hard Conversations session

    17 March

    Queers Out and About (Kochi) held the first session of Hard Conversations at aikyam space on February 16. It was an experimental session on becoming compassionate listeners and on navigating conflict and hurt within the community. Shibli Suhanah helped structure the session, and Rakhi Krishnan provided stickers, badges and chocolates.

  • A group of seven people are seated around a large wooden table in an office, engaged in a discussion. One person wears a yellow patterned head covering, while others are in casual shirts. The table holds papers, pens, sticky notes, a smartphone, and a small cup. Behind them, a bookshelf holds books, plants, and other items, with a whiteboard covered in colorful sticky notes on the wall to the right. A ceiling fan is visible above, and a window with wooden shutters lets in daylight.

    The TinkerSpace team came to reflect on their year

    14 February

    On February 4, TinkerHub's TinkerSpace team — Mehar, Arundathi, Kurian, Reema, Saneem, Abid and Jasim — spent the day reflecting on the year so far and what lies ahead in 2025. Shemeer and Abhiram held space for the discussion. aikyam space itself was inspired by TinkerSpace, where the aikyam fellows team spent many months as guests.

  • A group of people are gathered in a room with light-colored curtains and string lights, sitting on the floor and at low wooden tables while using laptops. A bookshelf filled with books stands against one wall, and several signs are mounted above it. One person sits cross-legged on a cushion, while others are seated on the floor or on chairs around the tables. Cables run across the carpeted floor near the laptops.

    Seventeen women built seven projects in eighteen hours

    5 February

    On the night of January 25–26, seventeen women, most of them first-time hackers, built seven projects in eighteen hours. Gouri took first place with a travel companion website and earned a badge and a certificate. Sahil, Jinso and Abhiram mentored and judged. The event was one of 60+ Kerala venues in TinkerHub's 4000-women hackathon initiative.

  • A group of people are seated in a circle inside a room with large windows, arranged on blue sofas, chairs, and a checkered mat on the floor, with a low wooden table in the center holding small items and a vase with yellow flowers.

    A discussion asked who public spaces are designed for

    24 December

    Pragya Sikka of Friends of Toto led a discussion on December 20 with changemakers, queer persons and allies. We began with an empathy walk and asked what a public space meant to them. The group drew parks, libraries, street lights, signboards and clean toilets, and talked about naming pronouns at work.

  • A group of nine people stands together indoors, posing for a photo in front of a large screen mounted on a wooden stand. The screen displays a video conference interface with multiple participant windows. To the left of the screen is a tall banner with a blue and white design. The room has light-colored tiled floors, white walls, a wooden door, and a window with wooden slats on the right side. The individuals are dressed in casual clothing, including dresses, shirts, and trousers, and most are barefoot. One person has their arm around another's shoulder.

    The Global Shapers Kochi Hub inducted its new Shapers

    14 November

    Global Shapers Community Kochi Hub held its induction programme at aikyam space on 28 October 2023. We welcomed and onboarded newly selected volunteers, known as Shapers. The day ran on activities, team-building sessions and collaborative workshops. GSC is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, and the Kochi Hub works on local projects addressing issues in the city.

  • A group of people are gathered around a long wooden table in a room, focused on laptops and papers. One person stands at a small table near a large screen mounted on the wall, appearing to present or demonstrate something. Others are seated around the table, looking at their screens or listening. The room has a wooden door, a window with bars, and a whiteboard on the wall. Various items like cups, notebooks, and cables are on the table.

    Two organisations built their own websites over two days

    30 September

    Over September 24 and 25, Naji Mahfood and Shanija of Ignite India and Khoj, and Aayushee Jevish of Ninety Degrees, worked on telling their organisations' stories. Megha trained them in the basics of Ghost; Jinso covered servers, self-hosting with NGO credits and mapping a custom domain. Naji built an impact storytelling platform for Ignite India, and Aayushee built the Ninety Degrees website.

  • A large group of people are gathered indoors for a group photograph, arranged in several rows with some standing and some kneeling or sitting on the floor. They are positioned in front of a wall with curtains and string lights, with an air conditioning unit mounted above. A white mattress lies on the floor in the foreground. The individuals are dressed in a mix of casual and traditional clothing, and most are looking toward the camera.

    Sumanta Das Baul and his team performed at Nosh Haus

    4 July

    Sumanta Das Baul and his musicians performed a Baul set, with Shilanjani translating. The dotara, ektara, plucked drum and ghungroo bells carried the songs. Every Baul present sang, including Sumanta’s ten-year-old son. The Baul tradition emerged in the early 18th century in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

  • A sheet of white paper lies on a dark surface, covered with handwritten words in various colors arranged around a central cloud-shaped outline containing a word. Several pens and markers rest at the top of the paper, and a small open paint palette with circular wells of color sits to the left. A pen with an orange cap lies across the bottom right corner of the paper. A small booklet is partially visible beneath the palette on the left edge.

    An art therapy session had everyone draw a four-floor house

    4 July

    aikyam space and Mind Empowered hosted an art therapy session led by Cristelle Hart Singh of Dil Se. Participants drew a house with four floors, each floor holding a different part of their emotional life — the foundation for foundational beliefs, the first floor for habits to refrain from. They then drew the most vivid emotion that came out of it, and shared the drawings.

  • A group of eleven people stands together on a paved walkway beside a body of water, with trees and a distant shoreline visible behind them. They are dressed in casual clothing, including shirts, kurtas, jeans, and trousers, and several are smiling and raising their hands in a cheerful pose. One person holds a small object, and another carries a bag.

    Treasure Hunt participants came to share stories of transformation

    10 June

    The Great Indian Treasure Hunt’s Air phase took place. Twelve to eighteen young people, chosen by written applications and interviews, travelled across India in teams of four. The programme has six phases: Sky, Water, Fire, Metal, Earth and Air. Participants shared their stories of transformation.

  • A group of people are gathered around a long wooden table in a room, seated in black office chairs and facing one another. One person stands near a whiteboard covered with colorful sticky notes, while another stands near a doorway. The room has wooden doors, a window with shutters, and an air conditioning unit mounted high on the wall. Some individuals are looking toward the standing person, while others are engaged in conversation or looking at the table.

    A design thinking workshop led to a new group called PAPAD

    8 June

    On 14 March 2024, we ran the first in a series of human-centred design workshops. We introduced design thinking into the school curriculum. Participants split into two groups to identify who is most affected by curriculum change and who holds the most power over it. They formed a group called PAPAD — People's Alliance for Process & Agency in Design.

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