Lineman Bo Simpson Helps Electrify a Remote Village in Guatemala
By Chris Adam
“Life-changing, humbling, eye-opening, and incredibly rewarding.” This is how Bo Simpson, a lineman from Clark County REMC, described his experience with Project Indiana.
Simpson was part of a team of 16 Indiana electric cooperative linemen who, during a trip in January and February, brought electricity to the remote village of Palmira, Guatemala.
“It was not only about the work,” said Simpson. “It was about connecting with people, embracing a different culture, and realizing the impact we can have when we step outside our everyday routines to help others.”
The Project Indiana program aims to empower communities by constructing the necessary infrastructure to bring power to rural villages.
Palmira is in a mountainous area with challenging terrain along the western edge of Guatemala, where electricity has been a long-awaited necessity.
Their efforts aimed to transform the lives of residents by introducing electricity to homes for the first time. Each home received 2 outlets, 3 overhead lights, and 3 light switches.
This milestone marked a significant change in the villagers’ daily lives, who mostly grow and harvest coffee beans, providing them with new opportunities and a brighter future.
Although their initial goal was 109 homes, Simpson and the rest of the crew electrified 197 homes by the end of the trip.
“Seeing the joy on people’s faces when the lights came on for the first time is something I’ll never forget,” Simpson said. “But it was also the relationships we built — with each other on the team and the people in the village. The people did not have much, but were very happy and generous.”
Simpson said this trip was 1 of the most rewarding things he’s ever done, both personally and professionally.
“It changes the way you see the world,” Simpson said. “You come back with a new perspective on life and work and a deeper appreciation for the little things we often take for granted.”