Pre-Tom was hosted at the Camara de Comercio by TCS on January 27 as an introduction to the upcoming TOM event April 20-22.

TOM is a movement that uses technology and innovation to create a positive impact on people’s lives. Within Medellin, TCS hosts TOM annually, with no other schools or institutions having ever hosted it. Around 120 teachers and students, engineering majors, and professionals working within similar fields, attended the event.

“Pre-TOM was amazing, and all the teams are now working towards their goals by discussing solutions, which is a vital step towards such an important event” Senior Cipriano Uribe, maker junior, said.

TOM has 10 teams, each of which has a conocedor de la necesidad. They are people with disabilities that impede their daily activities. Pre-TOM was the first time each team met their conocedor to brainstorm ideas to help overcome their disabilities.

“We are just barely discussing preliminary ideas, however, we are now looking into the possibility of making some sort of virtual app that may help with the disability of our conocedor,” Senior Isaac Velez, maker junior, said.

Pre-TOM was the first time that team members got to know one another. Each team has nine to 10 participants ranging from professionals to university and Highschool students. They are made up of a Tomy, the leader of the team (a professional), maker u, for university students, maker junior, for high school students, and documentadores, for those who report on the progress of their project.

“I believe this was a very professional event, and meeting each other went really well, way more than I thought it would. I really loved my team and am happy to work with them,” Felipe Franco, maker junior, said.

A get-to-know activity between the conocedores de la necesidad and the TOM teams was carried out by the leader, Pascual Cardozo. The activity divided the participants into three groups, each of which had to sing lyrics given to them, however for some, they messed up the order.

“The activity was marvelous, it is something that really helps people without disabilities to better understand those with disabilities, and how they impact their daily lives,” Ivan Andres Espinosa, conocedor de la necesidad said.

Leaders Maria Hinestroza and Pascual Cardozo made speeches about TOM. Hinestroza introduced the event, conocedores de la necesidad, and its timeline. Cardozo emphasized the importance of TOM and how it initiates a long-lasting impact within the community. 

“I have known TOM for some time now, and I believe that with every year, the event and its leaders get better at helping others,” Rigoberto Zapata, Conocedor de la Necesidad, said.

Adolfo Moreno from Camara de Comercio delivered a speech emphasizing the willingness of Medellin to work with The Columbus School in order to create a bigger impact.

“The event was incredible and it was an amazing opportunity actually to do something good. I’m really looking forward to working together in TOM, ” Velez said