Employee volunteers to bring electricity to rural Guatemala
Access Energy Cooperative is proud to participate in the NRECA International program. THis program is set up to help places in the world that do not have electricity. Iowa cooperative participate by sending line workers to build power lines to bring electricity to people, just like we did in the 1930's when rural America had very little power.
NRECA International has brought electricity to more than 160 million people in 45 developing countries. They design and implement successful, sustainable, scalable rural electrification programs that improve education, safety, and economic opportunities. Over the decades, the International program has focused on establishing and strengthening rural utilities, emphasizing practical solutions that have lifelong impacts so they can maintain power systems they own.
The direct link between electrification and poverty reduction is undeniable, and locally owned rural electric cooperatives across our nation continue our efforts to bring electrification to those in the world who need it and wish to overcome energy and economic poverty. Visit NRECA International here.
Employees are selected on a rotational basis from participating cooperatives across Iowa when trips are set up. In 2019, Access Energy Cooperative was able to participate in a trip to rural Guatemala to bring power to over 40 homes, a health center, and a school. Bob Ruby, Line Foreman at Access Energy Cooperative, left his family and his home for a 3-week trip to build 2 miles of electric lines for children and families who have never had electricity.
See video here https://youtu.be/jAV-gqPOTW4
When asked why he volunteered to go on this trip that involved challenges and sacrifices for the 12 line workers from Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin electric cooperatives, Bob said, “It’s just something I have wanted to do for a long time – at least 6 or 7 years. I’m kind of running out of time to be able to do it.”