DAKOTA DUNES, SD -
You probably haven't heard of STEMM, but over the past fifteen years the Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministry has helped thousands of people.
This June that partnership is going a different direction, from Tanzania to Dakota Dunes.
"We've done everything from build bridges to send 10,000 kids to school," said Dr. Steve Meyer, President of STEMM.
That's what Siouxland Tanzania Educational and Medical Ministries has been doing for more than 15 years, helping people in need half a world away.
But now, in order to help folks over there, that work is coming to Siouxland in the form of Dr. Charles Sweke.
"I really feel at home," said Dr. Sweke. "And I believe in what they are going to do for me."
Dr. Sweke is an OBGYN, one of less than 50 in a country of more than 40 million people, but because of a medical condition his work has been getting harder to do.
"(Dr. Sweke has had) Three previous failed back surgeries and is basically debilitated because of 2 badly ruptured discs," said Dr. Meyer.
So at the Siouxland Surgery Center in Dakota Dunes, Dr. Sweke will get the back surgery he needs to start working again.
"I think if God still needs me to work for him he's going to stand, he's going to direct their hands to reconstruct me," said Dr. Sweke.
A reconstruction not just for his health, but for his patients.
"As the head of OBGYN surgery at the biggest hospital in the third biggest city in Tanzania, he helps literally thousands of women a year," said Dr. Meyer.
"They still need me," said Dr. Sweke. "So I hope after this surgery I'll continue helping our people."
Dr. Sweke's surgery is scheduled for Friday, June 22nd.
After it's all finished he'll stay in Siouxland for two weeks to recover before he heads back to Tanzania.
