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
Community program brings learning and conversations together
Community members came together at the space on 12 May 2024 for a day of learning, creative activities and conversation. Children took part in learning and creative sessions, while women joined a workshop focused on skills and livelihood opportunities. We designed the program to increase participation at the space, support children’s learning, and help women connect with each other and explore new possibilities.
Preparing the space for a community gathering
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.
The cats have made themselves at home
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.
Show all 44 sessions
Heavy rain paused all activities for the day
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 mural of sea and dance began on the walls
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.
The team played Albatross Soup together
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.
Ropes went up for the climbing vegetables
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.
Roadside bamboo became supports in the kitchen garden
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 water leak appeared and its source was not found
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.
Beading was shown as a possible way to earn
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.
Children learned beading patterns and techniques
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.
Seventeen women from the palliative care community visited
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.
Children worked out maths by doing, not memorising
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.
The banana chips winner was published on catsofkochi.com
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.
Thirteen banana chips were tasted to find Fort Kochi's best
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.
Sriram admired the garden, and Cheeru joined in
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 visit brought talk of the work going on here
The visit included conversations around community engagement, shared ideas, and ongoing initiatives happening within the space.
A group met here to plan its community work
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.
The children finished the rest of the crochet class
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.
Some unexpected visitors from nature walked in
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.
Shemeer and Rohit discussed fundraising for early-stage non-profits
Shemeer and Rohit discussed fundraising challenges for early stage non profits and how to navigate them.
A visitor wrote down how the space felt
"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
Pranava Institute surveyed technology barriers in Fort Kochi
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.
Children picked up their first crochet loops and knots
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.
The Community40 group met to check its progress
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 team session ended with everyone out for lassi
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 Changemakers meeting looked at how people grow
Meeting as part of the Changemakers program, focusing on understanding their journey and approaches to growth.
A festival in Fort Kochi kept most members away from the session
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.
Nine children learned about the nervous system hands-on
Nine children from our community came together to learn about the human nervous system through simple explanations and hands-on activities.
A saree photoshoot made use of the garden's good light
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.
The team prepared for a beach clean-up expecting over 1,600 people
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.
ARISE set goals for 2026 and mapped their stakeholders
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 CDF fellows met in person for the first time
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.
ARPO's team mapped who holds power over their work
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.
Queers Out and About held their first Hard Conversations session
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.
The TinkerSpace team came to reflect on their year
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.
Seventeen women built seven projects in eighteen hours
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 discussion asked who public spaces are designed for
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.
The Global Shapers Kochi Hub inducted its new Shapers
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.
Two organisations built their own websites over two days
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.
Sumanta Das Baul and his team performed at Nosh Haus
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.
An art therapy session had everyone draw a four-floor house
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.
Treasure Hunt participants came to share stories of transformation
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 design thinking workshop led to a new group called PAPAD
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.
Their story
What people said
Leelamma
“It was a wonderful experience to conduct our meeting here. Community spaces like this are very valuable for groups like ours”
Sudina S
“The home-like feeling. Jasentha Chechi who cooked us breakfast at short notice. The plants in the front yard. The spacious and group-friendly furniture. These are the things that made the space special for us.”
Rohit Sharma, Awaaz Leadership Lab
“aikyam felt like a mini world where people of different ages and backgrounds came together to learn, create, and feel a sense of belonging.”
Afsal, CEO of Captains Social Foundation
“aikyam space was really helpful for our pre-works”
One of the attendees
“It's a nice place to just... speak if you [previously] didn't have those spaces available to you.”
Sanal Suhas, Executive member of Rise Up Forum
“The space provided by aikyam for us was exceptionally great. I could spend some creative and peaceful time in there. So much of heartfelt thanks to the organisation. We'll visit again.”
Muhammed Ibnu, Volunteer
“The space is incredible and very much welcoming.”
Vishnavi, Rise Up Forum, queer and diversity
“With the interaction I had with the space and community, I could sense and feel the warmth and love being offered to every passing person and genuinely felt things are being led with love here.”
Community 40
“We have been using aikyam space for multiple purposes, from our internal meetings to full team monthly gatherings. What really stands out is the space itself. It feels like an open home, making it a very comfortable place to spend time and work together.”
Olimalar Foundation
“aikyam space felt like home because they truly let it be. They looked after us like family.”
Make A Difference
“aikyam space offers unmatched positivity that creates a conducive environment for open conversations. We didn’t need to plan additional exposure activities for the participants—the space itself provided the inspiration.”
Sana Fathima
“aikyam serves as a safe, comfortable, and intellectually nurturing space to work on my thesis and build connections with the local community”