COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Several Georgia linemen volunteered to bring electricity to a village in Central America.
In a 17-day mission, linemen from Jackson EMC, Cobb EMC, Coweta-Fayette EMC, GreyStone Power Corporation, Habersham EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC and Walton EMC brought power to Sesaltul, Guatemala.
Sesaltul had never experienced the benefits of electricity, according to Jackson EMC. The coalition of Georgia linemen built four miles of electric lines to bring power to the village, which now services around 90 households, two schools and two churches. The project was sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Foundation.
Corey Willard, a lineman with Jackson EMC, said the project seemed like a huge undertaking, especially since they didn't have their usual equipment.
“Here at home, we have bucket trucks and line trucks and various battery tools," he said in a news release. "There—there’s nothing. It’s all on hooks and hand tools and very physical."
The Georgia crew had to build power lines along paved roads and had to learn to navigate through difficult terrain along trails in heavy vegetation to connect homes.
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Georgia linemen help bring electricity to Guatemalan village | PHOTOS
One lineman described the homes as huts with dirt floors, bamboo walls or roofs made out of palm leaves. Some had tin roofs and block walls. These homes received four lights, two switches and two outlets.
Pete Arteaga is also a lineman with Jackson EMC. He said helping villagers turn on their lights brought back memories.
"When I was growing up as a kid, I didn't have electricity until I was 9 years old," he said in a news release. "So, I knew what it was going to feel like for these people. It was very emotional for me because I was anxious to get it done so they could experience what I went through."
Beyond getting power to the village, the lineman raised almost $7,000 for supplies and equipment at two schools in the village, including ceiling fans they installed at the schools during the project.
To learn more about efforts like the one in Guatemala and how you can contribute, click here.