As the clock struck 8:00 am. The race began. The next 72 hours were a blur of activity. TCS’s Makers Space became the hub of innovation and a bustling workshop where groups did everything from sketching to welding metals, hammering, sawing, and 3D printing. Each mind brought its own unique expertise to the table. Despite the exhaustion and stress of the intense work, the sense of purpose, drive, and satisfaction of making a difference was overwhelming.

On Thursday, April 26, the global event TOM 2023, or Tikkun Olam Makers, once again, brought-together problem solvers from schools and universities to address the neglected challenges faced by people with different disabilities. From custom prosthetics to assistive technology, the TOM community works to create affordable solutions that make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

Each year, TOM leaders like Alexander Arenas, Hector Londoño, Pablo Arango, and Maria Hinestroza organize TOM to create a unifying event where TCS students like Teo Dominguez, Martin Ochoa, Daniel Franco, and Maria Isabel Tavera meet and work alongside professionals from universities or companies like Daniel Escobar a mechanical engineer who specializes in construction prosthetic limbs.

Why do you consider TOM important for our community?

TOM not only offers social hours and sensitizes people to some hard realities, but additionally provides applicable examples of problems that can be solved with expertise in areas such as engineering, designing, and carpentry. Students are presented with the opportunity to help those in need in our community by applying and learning new skills that make a difference. 

“It’s gratifying and encouraging to see how applying professional skills like problem-solving, designing, teamwork, coding, engineering, etc, can really make an impact on somebody’s life.” Martin Ochoa, Grade 11, said.

“TOM changes lives and creates a sense of community that would otherwise, never be seen in school,” Senior Maria Isabel Tavera said.

“This program fosters an enriching ecosystem. Where the enthusiasm and creativity of the youngest are integrated with all the knowledge of people with more experience,” Daniel Escobar, Maker, said.

What is the most important thing you learned?

One of the objectives of TOM is to unite capable people to create an enriching event. Makers are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) experienced participants like professors, engineers, 3D designers, chemists, carpenters, programmers, etc.  

“As a professional in the industry, you are biased towards solutions you’ve already seen. You believe that things are done that way and only that way. But in TOM I have learned that this limits the generation of new solutions. Thanks to the variety of people and their ways of thinking I am able to improve as a professional,” Escobar said. 

“To be more specific, from working with my team I’ve learned some basic anatomy and bioengineering required to build the prosthetic arm for our Need Knower,” Teo Dominguez, Grade 10, said

What is something you liked about this year’s event?

Despite the intensity and pressure to innovate an adequate solution in just 3 days, the varied responses of participants expressed how the event was a success which provided a diversity of enriching experiences and perspectives.

“It is certainly gratifying to aid and motivate the people participating in TOM and to see the smiles of gratification and of gratitude,” Alexander Arenas, EIA Laboratory Manager, said.

“I’ve liked the disposition of the members of their respective teams as well as the innovative and advanced projects that show they’ve been thought out, and are very appropriate to the needs of the connoisseur,” Escobar said.

What is something you would like to see improved for future TOM?

As successful as TOM is, there are always areas for improvement. When asked what they would like to see improved for future TOM events, some participants suggested longer timelines for project completion and more specific task parameters to ensure that projects are completed on time. Others expressed the desire for more diverse participants with the goal of encouraging collaboration between different backgrounds and expertise. Overall, these suggestions and feedback show that there is a desire to make TOM even more effective and impactful in the future.

“The support of the universities and the committee have changed. The committee usually sent officiators as well as people focused on the health of the need-knowers. In addition, this year there are fewer students from the EIA,” Arenas said.

“The only major setback I have noted in this event has been a few organization issues coming from some teams, which results in completion time pressure,” Ochoa said.

“More professionals from companies will enrich even more the TOM experience. Interactions with this kind of participants are what promotes the creation of innovative solutions and at the same time nurtures others with new ideas and enthusiasm,” Escobar said.

How will the Makers of TOMorrow program benefit TOM in the future?

The Makers of TOMorrow (MOT) program, for 4th and 5th grade students and launched by TOM in partnership with TCS, aims to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers to create innovative solutions that carry the mission of TOM. By providing hands-on experience in design thinking, engineering, and collaboration, the program seeks to equip young minds with the skills necessary to make a difference in the world. 

“It’s not just about technical training, but rather the impact it causes on people. If as a child they realize that working on this type of project is something fun, motivating, and rewarding, they will start seeing these types of activities as thrilling, something they are passionate about rather than something academic,” Escobar said.

“It’s impressive for such small kids to be so early into STEM. With such enthusiasm, kids are sculpting their skills from an early on and learn from professionals in the field. Now imagine what they will be able to accomplish in the future,” Dominguez said.

Why are sponsors crucial for the functionality of the event?

Sponsors such as Postobon, Celsia, Escuela de Ingeniros de Antioquia, SURA and Comite de rehabilitacion among others play a crucial role in the success of TOM. Their financial and in-kind contributions provide the necessary resources for participants to bring their innovative ideas to life. From providing food, equipment, and materials to supporting logistics and providing mentorship, sponsors enable TOM to function smoothly and effectively.

“Both companies and universities bring professionals who teach, learn and help create solutions that change lives,” Arenas said.

“Without the help of the sponsors, it would not only be precarious to convene so many capable people and arrange such good logistics but we, makers, would not be able to fully concentrate on solving the need,” Escobar said.

Overall, TOM has proved once again to be an event that opens the doors for innovation, creativity, collaboration, and empathy and provides enriching and impactful experiences not only for the participants but also for the community.

As Escobar puts it, “TOM is more than just creating solutions. It’s about creating a community of passionate people who want to make a difference in the world.”