Two SPEC linemen are heading to Guatemala in a volunteer effort to bring electricity to a remote village for the very first time. SPEC Journeyman Linemen, Wade Bounds and Jesse Rivera, will spend two weeks in Matasanos, Guatemala this November volunteering for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Program.

Both are experienced linemen who will no doubt be an asset to the international project. Rivera has worked for SPEC for 12 years. He started in our apprentice program and worked his way up to a Journeyman Lineman. Bounds began his career at SPEC three years ago and has previous experience working for electric cooperatives.

They will be joined in their efforts to electrify this developing country by linemen from other Texas electric cooperatives. These volunteers will construct primary line and secondary line systems and conduct training for local linemen who will maintain the system after volunteers leave.  

Once the work is complete, the project will provide power to approximately 240 people and drastically change their quality of life.

For over 60 years, NRECA International has provided women, men and children in developing countries with access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity. For these 160 million people in 45 countries who have benefitted from their work, life has changed and improved through better education, health, provision of clean water and economic opportunity. 

Sound familiar? San Patricio Electric Cooperative was formed 85 years ago for the same purpose! In 1938, a group of rural farmers—our founding members—joined together to form an electric cooperative to bring power to their rural homes.

We’re proud to send Bounds and Rivera to continue the tradition of electrifying rural communities. We appreciate their willingness to volunteer and sacrifice time away from their families to help improve the lives of families in Guatemala.

We wish them safe travel and pray for their continued safety as they work to provide power under new conditions. We can’t wait to hear all about their experience!