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For three weeks this fall, a group of Arkansas electric cooperative linemen traveled thousands of miles from home — and decades back in time — to bring electricity to families in the remote Guatemalan village of Entre Ríos.

Among the volunteers were First Electric Cooperative Crew Chief Matt Goetz and Journeyman Lineman Rhett Turner, who joined 15 other linemen from across the state for Operation Razorback, a mission coordinated by NRECA International. Together, the crew built new power lines through rugged, mountainous terrain to deliver electricity to homes that had never before had access to power.

Located in El Quiché, near Guatemala’s border with Mexico, Entre Ríos is an agricultural region known for its production of coffee, tea, cacao, pepper, cardamom and palm oil. Until now, residents relied solely on daylight for work and study — but that changed when the lights flickered on for the first time this October.

Each home received a 50-amp breaker panel equipped with two light switches, four light bulbs, and two outlets — a modest but life-changing service compared to U.S. homes, which typically feature 200- to 320-amp panels. For perspective, the local primary lines carry just 19.9kV, while American residential systems run at 7,620 kV.

Beyond the work, Matt and Rhett found joy in connecting with the community. The pair handed out candy and soccer balls to local children and even joined a pickup game at a nearby school — one that will be electrified in November by a Texas cooperative team.

“When asked if I’d volunteer again, I didn’t even have to think about it,” said Matt, who began his linework career in 2007. “I don’t do this job for a paycheck. I do it to help people and restore lives — and this trip really spoke to me, especially because of the children. They were so excited they even asked us to sign their shirts at the lighting ceremony.”

President and CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten visited the crew in Guatemala to celebrate the project’s success and thank the team for their hard work and dedication. “These missions remind us how blessed we are in the United States,” said Hasten. “Bringing light to those who have never had it is one of the most meaningful things we can do.”

Operation Razorback marks another milestone in Arkansas cooperatives’ ongoing partnership with NRECA International. Since 2013, Arkansas co-op linemen have brought the gift of light to more than 2,500 rural families in Bolivia and Guatemala — proving that the cooperative spirit truly knows no borders.