During his first trip, together with another volunteer, Jerry Rodgers of Lane Electric Cooperative (Eugene, Oregon), he helped connect a cell-phone tower service to an existing power line, built a three-phase line to a water bottling facility, and continued connecting homes and business in downtown Yei.

During his second trip in March 2008, he traveled by himself and together with NRECA staff assigned to the project, helped ready the co-op distribution system for the eventual handover to the local community. During both of his trips, he also helped with the training of the local crew – something that all US volunteers have helped with.

There is no apprenticeship program in Sudan. The local crew has learned everything they know so far on the job, and with lots of help and training from the NRECA staff and volunteers. This is an essential part of the project.

“It’s a difficult journey to make,” said Willy of his trips. “You have to take all your hand tools with you, as well as all the food and personal items you will need. I had lots of cans and beef jerky with me!”

Read the complete story of his experiences, as reported by Kris Wendtland in the Star-Herald Neighbors newsletter.

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