Three Rivers Linemen Get the Opportunity to Give in Sudan
(International Foundation, November 30, 2009)

Brad Libbert	Travis Lumpkin

In September 2009, the NRECA International Foundation sponsored a volunteer trip to Maridi, Sudan, part of an ongoing effort to electrify villages in that war-torn African nation. The Maridi project involved the construction of a street lighting system for the town.

Travis Lumpkin and Brad Libbert, linemen from Three Rivers Electric Cooperative in Linn, Missouri, were part of the Maridi volunteer group. They offer their insights on the trip.

Why did you decide to get involved with the NRECA International Foundation?

Lumpkin: Traveling to a third world country is something that most people don’t have a chance to experience. I thought it would be a once in a lifetime chance. I am glad I made the trip. It was good to help the Sudanese people.

Libbert: I thought it would be good to help others too, and travel to another country.

What were your impressions of Maridi and Sudan?

Libbert: Sudan’s weather is hot and dry, except during the rainy season, which is when we visited. We were happy for the rain every day, because the temperatures dropped from about 100 degrees to 80-some degrees.

Lumpkin: There were some areas of the country that were very pretty. But overall, Sudan is a very poor country.

What was the work like? 

Lumpkin: Overall, the work was hard without the use of the tools we use at Three Rivers Electric Cooperative every day. But it was very rewarding.

It was good to get back to our cooperative though, where we have the “luxury” of using power tools and bucket trucks that they don’t have in Sudan.

Libbert:  The local men we worked with were very eager to work and even more excited to learn about electricity and line work. And installing street lights gave the locals a chance to see the results from electricity instantaneously.

There was a difficulty communicating because of the language barrier, but we were able to deal with that.

Would you volunteer again?

Libbert: I'd definitely consider volunteering for an NRECA International Foundation project again. I want to stay at home for a while though and enjoy things like home-cooked meals, cold drinks, a comfortable bed and hot showers.

Lumpkin:  And running water. And, of course, real “American” football.

It was a great experience though.  I'll always remember it.

One funny thing we brought that I'd definitely remember to bring next time is several bottles of hot sauce and rolls of toilet paper. The folks from NRECA International strongly suggested we take items like that, and were we ever glad we did.