1)  What is Compassionate Kozhikode?

Compassionate Kozhikode (CK) is a platform to launch projects which can generate and cultivate the spirit of compassion in individuals. CK is founded on a firm faith in the innate goodness of each of us. Compassionate Kozhikode believes that most of the human beings are basically compassionate and capable of expressing it when opportunities are made available.

2)  Who owns Compassionate Kozhikode?

Compassionate Kozhikode is collectively owned by the people of Kozhikode. The platform is facilitated by the District Administration, Kozhikode.

3)  How are projects/initiatives chosen?

Projects/initiatives offering innovative crowd sourced solutions for problems of the marginalised are chosen from suggestions by people. CK uses Gandhiji’s talisman when in doubt. (Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?

4)  Who funds the projects?

All the projects are crowd funded. CK does not collect money for the projects. Contributors are directly linked to beneficiaries. All the manpower involved is voluntary. CK does not have a bank account.

5)  Many of the projects in CK involve support for Government institutions. I pay tax. Why do I still have to contribute to support these Government institutions?

The money that the government uses to run these institutions is from the money you give the government as tax. Your contribution of time or material to improve the condition of these institutions can also be seen as some sort of direct tax you pay voluntarily for a project of your choice. These efforts actually complement the taxes that you pay.

6)  How can I participate in Compassionate Kozhikode?

Simple! Identify a project. Decide how you can contribute. Let us know how and when slots of needs/ requirements of articles/ time should be made available on the website.All you have to do is to select the donate or volunteer slots, fill in the details and submit the same.

7)  I am not in Kozhikode. Can I join?

Yes. Same as above. Identify the project and let us know how you propose to contribute. Contributions of time in most of the situations will require your presence on the site. But there are also options like documentation/ writing reports/ helping with maintenance of the system which can be done from a distance.

8)  Can a person with no technical skills also contribute his/ her ?

Yes, there are a lot of areas for the non-professional volunteers to get involved. For example, giving companionship to inmates of old age home, cleaning and maintenance of institutions, doing manual jobs etc. are included in the slot. Even if you are a professional, it may be worth exploring these options once in a while.

9)  How do you ensure sustainability of the projects?

Compassionate Kozhikode is an attempt to trigger and develop the spirit of compassion in individuals. Though a lot of marginalised people benefit from the various projects on CK platform, the main beneficiaries are people who get exposed to realities of real life through these projects. We believe that transformation and unleashing the feeling of empathy through involvement in CK projects will result in compassionate attitudes and lifelong commitments.

10)  I wish to start similar projects where I live (outside of Calicut). How can you help me?

We will be happy to help you. Write to projectcellclt@gmail.com

11)  I have an idea for creating CK? How can I propose this idea?

Write to us at projectcellclt@gmail.com Please try to give as much details as possible.

12)  Are there any monitoring and evaluation systems planned for the projects?

We are hoping to bring in a social audit system for all the projects.

13)  Are there any monetary incentives on joining Compassionate Kozhikode?

None! We only offer an opportunity for some meaningful moments in your life.

14)  Can I donate money to Compassionate Kozhikode?

We do not accept donations. But if you have money and you want to use it for a good cause, we can help to match it with a need in the society.

15)  Will my contribution be acknowledged?

Your contributions of material will be acknowledged through emails/ post. Contribution of your time can be acknowledged through a certificate of appreciation from the District Administration if you need one.

16)  How do I ensure that the articles contributed are taken into stock and used properly?

CK has a team working in the back end to follow up all the contributions. We also encourage you to keep regular contact with the institution after you receive our acknowledgment. Annual social audit of the projects will also help in getting proper feedback and corrections.

17)  Can we join as a group?

Generally we encourage people to join as individuals because the target group of Compassionate Kozhikode is potentially compassionate individuals.

18)  I live outside Calicut. Will you connect me to any shop in Calicut and facilitate transportation of materials from the outlets to the institutions?

We know that it is more difficult for a contributor to purchase and deliver articles to the needy than giving a donation to cover the cost. We deliberately chose the ‘difficult path’ because the aim is not just getting a donation, but to help the contributor see where his contribution goes and what impact it is likely to make. We are hoping that many such exposures will result in long-term meaningful relationships between the contributor and beneficiary institutions. We know that purchase and delivery of articles can cause some technical difficulties. We will try to guide you in such situations.