LifSkool: last in-person session and the SPARK ChallengeOpening doors: first school outreach togetherUnderstanding each other at LifSkoolGuided line practice for Kantha stitch precisionBuy unique Tote Bag with Constitution of India Preamble
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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 52 sessions
  • A large pile of scrap wood and wooden planks is stacked on the left side of a narrow outdoor passage, with more wood leaning against a wall on the right under a tarp. In the center, a dark doorway opens into a dimly lit interior where boxes and other items are visible. A red metal cart stands near the right side of the passage, and corrugated metal sheets lie on the ground.

    Looking for a suitable backing board for our frames

    29 October · Others

    We visited several shops to find a backing board for our frames. We wanted to explore recycled and recyclable materials that could support and protect what goes inside the frame. We looked at MDF, Multiwood, plywood, foam boards and other options. We also came across WPC panels, a material that was new to us. The options we found raised concerns about plastic content or how they could be recycled. We have not yet found a suitable board locally and are continuing the search.

  • A large pile of scrap wooden planks and boards is stacked haphazardly on a paved surface, with a single long wooden plank standing upright in front of the pile. Behind the wood, white sacks and cardboard boxes are visible, along with other discarded materials. The ground is made of interlocking paving stones, and a small blue object lies on the pavement near the bottom right.

    Reclaimed wood delivered for first batch of Preamble frames

    26 October · Others

    Reclaimed wood delivered We delivered reclaimed wood to our carpenter, Mr. Jacob, for the first production batch of Preamble frames. Acrylic sheets We have ordered recyclable acrylic sheets. Cutting them to size will take two more days. We expect the recyclable foam backing sheets to arrive with them.

  • A person crouches on a paved surface, using a hand tool to work on a piece of wood resting on a small block. They wear a blue and orange shirt, dark trousers, and sandals. Behind them is a large pile of wooden planks and strips, and a vintage red cart with large metal-spoked wheels.

    Preparing reclaimed wood for Preamble frames

    24 October · Others

    We removed nails from reclaimed wood to prepare frames for the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. This was time-consuming, but it is an important step. If the wood has nails inside it, carpenters who cut the wood to size will be at risk. Power tools that hit hidden nails create a serious risk.

  • Four women sit on a wooden floor in a circle, surrounded by colorful patchwork fabric pieces and small sewn items. One woman holds a piece of green and white checkered fabric, another arranges multicolored patches, and a third works with a stack of patterned squares. A smartphone rests on the floor nearby. In the background, a wooden bench holds a bag and cloth, and a sewing machine sits on a table beside a chair with a purple cushion.

    Systematic preparation and precision cutting of fabric strips

    9 October · Stitching Club

    We began a new round of work on raw materials before stitching. The team sorted multi-colored fabric scraps by texture, weight and color tone. This kept the colors balanced for the upcoming Kantha panels. To keep strict design uniformity, we accurately marked and cut the selected fabrics into uniform 6 centimetre wide strips. We checked each strip for neat edges and the right length. Then we bundled and labeled the strips and stored them for the next step, pattern assembly.

  • Three women are smiling at the camera in front of a white building with teal trim and a black sign mounted above them. The woman in the center is closest to the lens, flanked by two others standing slightly behind her. All three have dark hair and bindis on their foreheads, and they are wearing patterned tops with scarves. Behind them, a low white wall topped with spikes runs across the width of the building, which has windows with dark shutters and a sloped roof section visible on the right.

    Opening doors: first school outreach together

    8 October

    Our team meetings showed a shared challenge: reaching children and young people who could benefit from the programmes at aikyam. We agreed to bring our networks together and prepare a shared introduction to what we offer. We acted on this and prepared a shared brochure introducing the programmes at aikyam. Each team wrote programme descriptions, and we brought them together in a brochure for the visits. We made our first school visits together as the aikyam, Olimalar and Thudippu team. We visited two schools suggested by Shabana, using her knowledge of the local community. We spoke with headteachers about opportunities for children to take part. One school already knew Olimalar through LifSkool. At the other school, youth festival preparations opened a conversation about possible dance support from Thudippu. We collected their contact numbers and shared printed and digital copies of the brochure. When we returned to aikyam, we discussed the visits and how we could reach more children. Alongside welcoming families to aikyam, we explored finding spaces in schools and communities. We also looked at training facilitators to run activities closer to where children live.

  • A covered outdoor area with a tiled floor is filled with many pairs of shoes scattered across the ground. Several people are present, including children sitting on a low platform and adults standing near the entrance of a building. Decorative garlands hang from the ceiling beams, and potted plants line the walls. A bicycle is visible on the left side, and a window with a patterned grille is on the right.

    Community program brings learning and conversations together

    23 August

    Community members came together at the space on May 12, 2024, for a day of learning, creative activities and conversation. Children took part in learning and creative sessions. Women joined a workshop focused on skills and livelihood opportunities. We designed the program to increase participation at the space. It supports children's learning and helps women connect with each other and explore new possibilities.

  • 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 aikyam space for a community gathering

    22 August

    We started preparing aikyam space for a community program on March 14, 2024. We designed the program to bring people together. We expected community members to take part. We hoped they would get to know one another better. We also hoped they would gradually feel the space was 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.

    Cats have made themselves at home

    7 August

    The cats have settled in at Aikyam space. We kept allowing them to stay there. The space is pet-friendly, so we looked for small ways to make it more welcoming for animals. We want both people and pets to 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 activities at Aikyam Space

    1 August

    Heavy rain paused all activities at Aikyam Space for the day. We made this decision to keep community members, children, and staff safe. The sessions could not take place as planned. The break reminded us of the importance of putting safety first during extreme weather.

  • 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.

    Mural of sea and dance painted at aikyam space

    24 July · Curiosity Club

    Mr. Krishnan Ghosh painted a new mural on the walls of aikyam space. The sea and dance inspired the artwork. 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 played "Albatross Soup" together in a team-building session. 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 installed for the climbing vegetables

    18 July

    We put up support ropes for the climbing vegetables in the kitchen garden. We also cleaned leaf waste from the drainage ducts. This work is part of regular maintenance. It helps 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. We collected the bamboo and used 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 did not stop the day's activities. It reminded us that keeping the place in good condition is hard. We checked the leak but could not find its source. We are still watching it and trying 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 class introduced a possible livelihood

    13 June · Curiosity Club

    Children took part in a beading class. They learned basic techniques and enjoyed the creative process. The class introduced the idea that these skills could become a livelihood for anyone 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 March 14, 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 visit aikyam space

    4 June

    On March 14, 2024, seventeen women from the palliative care community visited aikyam space. They came to meet and document their work. We gave them a calm, comfortable place to talk and work together. After the session, the group said they appreciated the space and 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 March 14, 2024. We did interactive activities, discussions, and problem-solving exercises. The session encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and confidence. Children understood concepts by joining in, not by memorising. We made learning enjoyable and hands-on. The class created a space where children could explore maths with energy 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.

    Banana chips winner published on catsofkochi.com

    30 May

    The community led a banana chips tasting challenge for a fun and detailed comparison. They gathered different chips from shops across Fort Kochi. 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 are on catsofkochi.com. This helps others discover a local favourite through the community's 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. We compared and discussed them on taste, crunch, oiliness, salt and overall experience. It turned into a delicious debate. We plan to hold 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 at aikyam and Cheeru joined in

    25 May

    Sriram visited aikyam and liked the garden and the overall atmosphere. Cheeru made sure to join the visit too.

  • 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. They were about community engagement and shared ideas. They also covered the initiatives that are under way in 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 March 14, 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 final 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, focused attention 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

    Some unexpected visitors from nature walked into the space today. They made the day feel more special. We slowed down, observed, and enjoyed 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 nonprofits

    12 May

    Shemeer and Rohit discussed fundraising. They talked about the challenges for early-stage nonprofits and how to handle 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. It looked at 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. We spoke with people to 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 met for the crochet class on March 14, 2024. We showed them how to make loops and tie knots with 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 meets to talk about how things are going

    12 April

    The Community40 group met at the space to discuss how things were going. We also talked about what we wanted to achieve and how we would do it. We talked about what we had already done. Then we 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 later that 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

    A Changemakers meeting looked at how people grow. It focused on understanding people's journeys 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 could not attend today's session because 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.

    Children learn about the nervous system hands-on

    28 March · Curiosity Club

    Children from our community, nine in all, 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 light 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

    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 March 28, 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 and a review of the past year's work. It also covered goal setting for 2026, including 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.

    CDF STEM Femme fellows and their programme manager meet in person for the first time

    27 March

    CDF STEM Femme fellows Fathima Hiba and Sharon C came to the Tools for Storytelling Residency that aikyam fellows led. Their programme manager, Shana Shihab, came too. They met in person here for the first time. The residency included a website design session and conversations about setting boundaries and 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 shapes 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 exercise showed tribal and Dalit cultural practitioners ARPO works with are most affected by its projects but have the least say 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 its first Hard Conversations session

    17 March

    Queers Out and About (Kochi) held their first Hard Conversations session at aikyam space on Feb. 16. It was an experimental session. It looked at how to become compassionate listeners and how to deal with conflict and hurt in the community. Shibli Suhanah helped structure the session. 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.

    TinkerSpace team reflects on the year and what comes next

    14 February

    On February 4, TinkerHub's TinkerSpace team spent the day reflecting. Mehar, Arundathi, Kurian, Reema, Saneem, Abid and Jasim looked back at the year so far and what comes next in 2025. Shemeer and Abhiram led the discussion. TinkerSpace inspired aikyam space itself. The aikyam fellows team spent many months as guests at TinkerSpace.

  • 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 Jan. 25 to Jan. 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 received 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.

    Who are public spaces designed for?

    24 December

    Pragya Sikka of Friends of Toto led a discussion on Dec. 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 Oct. 28, 2023. We welcomed and onboarded the newly selected volunteers, known as Shapers. The day included activities, team-building sessions and collaborative workshops. GSC is an initiative of the World Economic Forum. 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.

    Ignite India and Ninety Degrees built websites in a two-day workshop

    30 September

    Over Sept. 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 at Nosh Haus. Shilanjani translated. 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 stood for a different part of their emotional life. The foundation stood for core beliefs, and the first floor stood 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 share stories of change

    10 June

    Treasure Hunt participants came to share stories of change. The Great Indian Treasure Hunt's Air phase took place. Twelve to eighteen young people, picked through written applications and interviews, travelled across India in teams of four. The programme has six phases, which are Sky, Water, Fire, Metal, Earth and Air. Participants shared their stories of change.

  • 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 March 14, 2024, we ran the first in a series of human-centred design workshops. We introduced design thinking into the school curriculum. Participants worked in 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, which stands for People's Alliance for Process & Agency in Design.

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