This month, two Medina Electric Cooperative linemen will join other linemen representing cooperatives and communities across Texas to electrify the village of Matasanos, Zacapa, in the Republic of Guatemala. In this mountainous area, villagers still live heavily following traditional Mayan practices—without electricity. This means that cooking is done by wood fire, schoolwork is completed by candlelight and many modern conveniences that rely on electricity are nonexistent.
This project is coordinated through NRECA International, which has helped developing countries access safe, reliable and affordable electricity for over 60 years. NRECA International has taken the same cooperative approach for low-cost rural electrification to developing countries that still, in 2023, live without the benefit and convenience of electricity.
The success of NRECA International projects relies on the U.S. electric cooperatives and other organizations that support its efforts to foster economic development in these developing countries with monetary donations as well as boots on the ground to donate time and materials.
Cooperative Principle No. 6 is Cooperation Among Cooperatives—which is why 20 linemen from other regional cooperatives agreed to partner for this project to empower a rural village in the same way many of our cooperatives began more than 80 years ago. Representing Medina EC are Dilley linemen Edward Varnador and David Hernandez. They will take their knowledge and experience as a lineman to assist in building enough powerlines spanning across approximately 85 power poles with four transformers. This effort is expected to support 55–65 huts or homes with four bulbs to light up the home and four outlets to provide additional power opportunities.
This project is supported by 10 cooperatives, including Medina EC; many business partners such as CoBank, Schneider Engineering, LineTec, Texas Electric Cooperatives and many more sponsors raising more than $250,000 to financially support this project.
“I’m proud of our linemen, Edward and David, for agreeing to travel internationally to a rural village to help the community grow and thrive.” said Trey Grebe, Medina EC CEO. “I acknowledge that it’s a personal sacrifice of them and their family to be away, embark in conditions that are unfamiliar, and face new challenges in a different culture. However, the opportunity to support this village is going to make a real difference in the lives of the local people helping them reach the first steps to improving their standard of living for generations to come.”
The opportunities that come after the village is electrified will include positive economic impact, increase in work production, growth in local businesses, making life easier, and increasing educational opportunities and health benefits. The experience the linemen will have will be more than just the poles and wires; it’ll be about the people and community.
