In one rural Guatemalan village, the glow of a single lightbulb will be a life-changing moment—and two San Patricio Electric Cooperative linemen are there to make it happen.

This month, SPEC linemen, Jesse Rivera and Martin Villarreal, are serving people far beyond our local communities—working to bring electricity to a remote village in Ixcan, El Quiché, Guatemala for the very first time. They are volunteering through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International Program, joining  co-op linemen from across South Texas to make history for families who have never had power before.

For Jesse, this will be his second trip with NRECA International. His first experience, wiring huts and stringing line in the mountains of Zacapa, Guatemala, left a lasting impression. He returned home with a new perspective on both the challenges and blessings of daily life. Now, he’s eager to lend his skills once again.

For Martin, this will be his first opportunity to participate in an international electrification project—though far from his first time stepping up to a challenge. With years of experience serving SPEC members here at home, he’s prepared to bring the same dedication and heart to the people of El Quiché.

The work ahead won’t be easy. They are working in a remote village, far from the conveniences of machinery and trucks that linemen rely on in the United States. Much of the labor will be done by hand—setting poles, hauling materials and wiring homes. The hazards in Guatemala are challenging too: steep terrain, slick soil, unpredictable weather and long, exhausting days.

But if past projects are any measure, the challenges will be met with determination, teamwork and the support of the villagers themselves. In many places, families join in, helping to carry supplies, dig holes or simply encourage the crews. The payoff is worth every ounce of effort. Because when they finally get electricity, children will do homework by light, families will refrigerate food and churches and schools will operate with reliable electricity.

Bringing power to rural Guatemala is more than just a construction project. It’s about connection—between people, cultures and communities. The lights that switch on in these villages don’t just illuminate homes, they spark opportunity, hope and growth.

SPEC has supported international electrification efforts before, but each project is a reminder of why this work matters. Our mission has always been about more than keeping the lights on—it’s about improving quality of life and strengthening communities, whether here in South Texas or across the globe.

As Jesse and Martin continue their work in Guatemala this month, they carry with them the values that define our cooperative: service, safety and commitment to community. And when the lights switch on in Ixcan, El Quiché for the very first time, they will be part of a moment that changes lives forever.