Kim Gibson pictured with the TS Bank flag at the chapel

Council Bluffs' man visits Iowa-based organization in Africa

March 25, 2021 | TS Prosperity Group

Pictured above: Kim Gibson with the TS Bank flag at the chapel on the STEMM campus with children.

An avid traveler domestically and internationally, Kim Gibson of Council Bluffs and TS Banking Group Board of Directors’ member, recently took another monumental trip. This time to Africa to visit a nonprofit organization, Siouxland Tanzania Emergency Medical Ministry (STEMM), founded and administrated out of Sioux City, Iowa. 

kim gibson with young girl and grandparents in africa
Kim Gibson pictured with a young girl, Beatrice and her grandparents in Mbuguni while delivering them some food. This was his second time visiting this family, and they are on the waiting list at STEMM.  

STEMM, established in 1996 was created to develop a relational bridge between Siouxland and Tanzania by addressing the priorities of spiritual growth, medical care and educational opportunities for the local area. In building this relationship, the overwhelming AIDS orphan crisis was one that could not be ignored and today is also an integral part of the STEMM organization.

The organization cares for 52 orphans, provides medical care for the surrounding area, offers school lunch programs and has a 75-acre irrigated farm which produces corn, fruits and vegetables. Additionally, STEMM offers women’s empowerment business development for Maasai villages, educational and faith-based outreach.

young kids in a classroom in africa
Gibson visited the private school run by Apostles of Saint Mary where STEMM kids attend.

After a breath-taking safari in the plains of Serengeti, Gibson was equally overwhelmed with his experience in rural Mbuguni, Tanzania while staying at STEMM.

kim gibson with sponsored child in africa
Gibson pictured with Maria, he and his wife's sponsored child who is now 16.

Gibson had two special moments of many while at STEMM.  The first was visiting Maria, he and his wife’s sponsored child at a high school near the campus, and the second was attending chapel at STEMM where he is pictured with the TS Bank flag.  

“This organization is really doing great work and providing hope to those that have no other support.  I was able to see STEMM’s programs hands-on and see the impact they are making in so many people’s lives,” said Gibson.

Gibson has served on TS Banking Group's Board of Directors since 2015 and has a passion for travel. He has taken a TS Bank flag along with him to several continents and other countless trips, spreading the TS Bank story worldwide. To contact us about this story or any of our other employee features, please fill out this form.

About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to IGNITE PROSPERITY® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10% of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $365 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $218 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.