Bringing Light to a Remote Village: Linemen’s Journey to Electrify Guadalupe
In a remarkable demonstration of international cooperation and volunteerism, four linemen from Jackson EMC recently ventured to Guatemala. Over a span of two weeks, they played a crucial role in delivering electricity to the village of Guadalupe for the first time. Collaborating with other professionals from the state, they constructed four miles of electric lines, bringing power to more than 50 homes, two schools, and two churches.
Brendan Brewer, one of the dedicated volunteers, shared insights into his experience. “I really loved going over there and getting with the locals that lived in the village and getting together,” Brewer reflected. “And it was a really fun experience, you know, when people are able to have their own lights that they can turn on and off. To be able to plug in devices – and that made living a lot easier for them because they had to farm and get water from rivers and stuff like that. They don’t have running water like we do.”
The task was not without its challenges. Due to the lack of bucket trucks, the crews faced a strenuous hour-and-a-half commute from their accommodations to the worksite, where they climbed 55 poles manually. Brewer described the physical demands of the job, noting, “The terrain was very challenging. One of the days it was almost a 115 degrees heat index, and we ended up doing a lot of hiking. My climbing bag was 67 pounds, and you can imagine carrying that all day from pole to pole to pole.”
Despite the rigorous conditions, Brewer found fulfillment in the mission. He expressed satisfaction in contributing to the lives of the villagers, stating, “I think the biggest part was just being able to make a difference in other people’s daily lives. They were very appreciative.”
Jackson EMC, the largest electric cooperative in Georgia, continues to demonstrate its commitment to community service both locally and abroad.
