Southeast Colorado Power CEO Jack Johnston helps hand out water filters to villagers in Pie del Cerro, Guatemala.
The lights are on and clean water is now available in two Guatemalan villages thanks to electric cooperatives in Colorado and Oklahoma and their volunteer lineworkers. The line team spent more than two weeks in September bringing power lines into the villages, and the lights were turned on October 2.
The gift of a wheelchair brings a huge smile to this young boy’s face. He and another young girl previously were only able to travel around the village when their mothers carried them.
The team also delivered 110 water filters to the villagers in Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas. Also donated were much-needed wheelchairs for two disabled youngsters in the village and a computer and printer for each of the schools. These donations were made possible through donations from several electric co-ops and other organizations, as well as from Colorado Country Life readers.
Each household received a 5-gallon water filter that will last two years and provide safe, clean drinking water. These “Eco Filtros” were manufactured in Guatemala and shipped north to be distributed by the team.
Team members who participated in the Guatemala project include Dale Kishbaugh, Colorado Rural Electric Association director of safety and loss control; Christian Baker, Holy Cross Energy, Glenwood Springs; Kris Barbee, Southeast Colorado Power Association, La Junta; Ben Ludington, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Fort Collins; Kelly Snow, United Power, Brighton; Chet Stickler, Holy Cross Energy, Glenwood Springs; and Nate Towne, Mountain Parks Electric, Granby.
Also on hand to turn on the lights and help distribute water filters and the other donations were CREA Executive Director Kent Singer, CREA Board President and Highline Electric Board Member Jim Lueck, Southeast Colorado Power Association CEO Jack Johnston and Colorado Country Life Publisher/Editor Mona Neeley.