Employee volunteers to bring electricity to rural Guatemala

Access Energy Cooperative is proud to have an employee participating in the NRECA International 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 this month 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 will certainly involve challenges and sacrifices for the 12 lineworkers 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.”

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, healthcare, safety and economic opportunity. 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. When Bob returns, we will share some of his exciting experiences in next month’s Living with Energy in Iowa magazine.