Two Cobb EMC linemen recently volunteered for a humanitarian trip to Guatemala, where they brought power to Sesaltul, a remote village that had not experienced electricity's benefits before. 

The Cobb EMC employees were joined by linemen from across the state, including Coweta-Fayette EMC, GreyStone Power, Jackson EMC, Habersham EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC and Walton EMC.

During the 16-day mission, the linemen and local workers built four miles of line, constructing more than 72 primary and secondary poles and spanning wire. The massive undertaking brought power to 90 houses, two schools and two churches. The linemen accomplished this without their usual equipment, relying on battery-powered tools and climbing to get the job done. 

The residents' homes', mostly crafted with bamboo walls, tin or palm leaf roofs and dirt floors, received four lights, two switches and two outlets. The linemen worked through language barriers and hot, 90-degree conditions to wire each home and building. While the Georgia linemen divided themselves into crews to complete the job within the allotted timeframe, they walked house by house to trip on the breaker because they knew how much it meant to the villagers, many of whom were unfamiliar with how to flip the switch. 

Beyond getting power to the village, the linemen left many of their personal belongings, such as clothing and hygiene items, behind for the church to distribute to the local residents. Since 1962, NRECA International has empowered more than 160 million people worldwide to improve their quality of life by providing access to safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. The NRECA International Fund has helped establish over 250 electric utilities and cooperatives in 48 countries.