Two Coweta-Fayette EMC employees, Lanny Hammett and Chris Stephens recently spent several days in the Costa Rican community of Allemania helping wire a one room school house. Due to their dedication and hard work more children will now be able to attend school. Also, the line that is bringing electricity to this area was constructed in 2006 by a group of Georgia linemen, including two from Coweta-Fayette, through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International Foundation.

Like so many other places in the world, there is still a great need for electrification. Even though larger cities in Costa Rica already have power, remote areas do not and probably won’t anytime soon without help.

The community of Allemania is served by Coweta-Fayette EMCs sister cooperative Coopeguanacaste. This formal sister relationship was formed in 2003 so technical assistance and knowledge could be shared with one another. In September, Coweta-Fayette will serve as host for two of their linemen. They will be spending time working alongside EMC linemen learning construction methods that can be used in their own country to help better their service.

While in Costa Rica, Hammett and Stephens attended the inauguration of a new hydroelectric power plant. Costa Rica President Oscar Sanchez was the main speaker for the event. It was through his good planning that the country was able to build the new cleaner energy hydro facility that will serve power to approximately 15,000 consumers. The two EMC employees were thanked for coming to their country and helping with the needed project during the inauguration service.

Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves of all the advantages that we have today. By participating in this project EMC linemen and supervisors are helping make a difference.

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