Tripster Testimony: Abode Shelter - Rick Largesse

     I first learned of Steve Meyer and STEMM in 2016.  I was approached by a mutual friend who was also an investor in a film project slated for the beginning of the following year.  The project was to be headquartered at the STEMM facility in Tanzania.  My role was to provide security for those involved in the project.  We met over lunch in September of that year to discuss and plan the upcoming trip.  This was my first meeting with Steve.  His passion for the project and the people involved with STEMM was immediately clear to me.  He seemed like a genuinely nice guy who cared deeply about the mission at hand.  After he brought me up to speed, we wrapped up lunch and parted ways with a handshake.  Little did I know that my life was about to be turned upside down. 

     Less than two months later, my best friend was murdered at work.  He had been in my life as a friend, mentor, roommate, co-worker and teammate for 13 years.  It could have just as easily been me.  The two months between this incident and our departure date were a rollercoaster.  I’ve always been a workaholic and this time was no different.  Instead of dealing with my grief, I worked harder.  Inside I knew something wasn’t right.  I was suddenly nervous, anxious, and unsettled.  To cope with this I kept my hands and mind busy, but every time there was a lull, those feelings came back.  Finally, it got so bad that I couldn’t sleep or eat.  It was the day before I was slated to fly out to Tanzania.  I didn’t know what was wrong, but I knew I couldn’t perform the job I had been tasked with if this continued.  I broke down and went to the walk-in clinic.  After checking my vitals and listening to me describe my symptoms, the doctor said, “You’re having panic attacks due to PTSD.”  “Yeah right”, I thought.  That can’t happen to me.  I’m not that guy.  I’m tougher than that.  That only happens to weak people.  The doctor wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way.  I filled the prescription and stuck it in my bag as I packed.

     I boarded the plan and settled in for long flights and longer layovers.  We finally made it to Tanzania.  We arrived after dark and the moment I stepped foot onto Tanzanian soil, all of those horrible feelings disappeared.  I don’t mean that I was again “task focused” and able to override those feelings.  I mean they weren’t there.  As soon as I smelled the air in this new place, I was at peace.  We traveled by SUV to STEMM.  It was dark.  Not the type of dark I’m used to where there’s still ambient light by which to see the surrounding area.  No not that “dark”.  Dark dark.  We made our way into the main building where we would be staying for the next couple of weeks.  I located my bedroom and picked a bunk.  Then I slept.  I mean really slept.  I don’t know that I’ve ever slept as well as I did during my time there.  I’ve never been as comfortable as I was in that twin bunk bed complete with mosquito netting.  It was surreal.  For the duration of my stay, I was as content and at peace as I’ve ever been.  Regardless of what was on our agenda, I was relaxed.  I noticed my breathing had slowed as had my resting heartrate.  Even though I was in a relatively dangerous part of the world with none of the comforts of home, I was happy.

     When I woke up the next morning, I was able to see what had been hidden in the darkness. The compound we were headquartered at was amazing.  I was greeted by the cooking staff, who turned out to be some of my favorite people I would meet.  Yeah I like to eat, so maybe that had something to do with it.  They were happy.  Singing and smiling as I walked through the kitchen to the backdoor.  I walked out, coffee in hand, to see one of the most spectacular views I had ever seen and one that I would enjoy every morning after that.  I saw Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro over the mango trees and garden on the property.  Breathtaking.  I wandered the facility and saw banana trees, dairy cattle, and a well cared for garden.  I finished my coffee, because it was time to get to work.  Over the next few weeks, we traveled the area.  Met with locals, perused the marketplace, and went on a safari.  Two things stuck out to me.  The level of poverty and level of happiness.  I’ve traveled through impoverished countries before, but nothing prepared me for this.  Something as simple as a bottle of water was worth it's weight in gold.  And not just for the water inside, but for the bottle itself.  Something that people at home would discard without a second thought, was a prized possession for the locals.  The living conditions were also staggering.  Small shacks cobbled together from sticks and trash collected from the ditches.  Regardless, people were happy.  Everywhere we went there were smiling faces.  Why?  What did they have to be happy about?  It turns out they have a lot to be happy about.  Simple lives, family, being alive to experience it all. 

     I did some amazing things and saw some amazing sights, but the best was right at the compound.  I’d seen the children playing from a distance, but had never approached them.  For those that don’t know me, I’ve been told I’m not the most approachable fellow, so I thought it best to let them come to me.  One morning though, we got the chance to interact with the kids.  It was great.  Singing, dancing, and even a squirt gun fight.  These kids were awesome.  So friendly and unafraid of the strangers.  They looked well fed, well rested, and extremely confident in themselves.  What a blessing!

     We had the opportunity to assist in building some of the abode shelters at the STEMM facility, as well as one at the local hospital that would be used as a delivery room for local mothers.  We had an opportunity to interact with the Mbuguni school children and teachers, which was amazing as well.  Smiles everywhere.  It was clear that the local people loved Steve and STEMM.  It was clear that Steve and STEMM had positively impacted the whole area.  It was a truly humbling experience.  I still look at the pictures and tell the stories regularly.  It had a profound effect on my life.  It really was a blessing.  I thought I was just going to work, but it turned out to be a life changing learning experience.  It taught me about gratitude, selflessness, commitment, and community.  At the end, Steve thanked me for my work, but truly I was the thankful one.