The tiny village

of Jobitos had been promised power for three decades, according to the

town's mayor. Ironically, it was scheduled for the lines to be connected

in 1998; the hurricane only made it seem more impossible that they would

ever receive it.

"When

we hooked the first house up," remembers Smith, "the whole family

was in awe. For the first time ever, they had light bulbs inside their

dirt-floored residence. They weren't the only ones in awe, though. Donnie

and I thought it was awesome to be able to bring it to them!"

Coming from

such a modern and technologically advanced society as that of the United

States, the pair say they were amazed at the living conditions that pervade

the countryside of the Dominican Republic. Sanitation isn't among the

most important of issues for townspeople, and trash lines most roads and

trails. "The main mode of transportation is by burro, although many

of the locals do have motor scooters; we saw one with two adults and three

children on it," offers Smith.

Although some

of the residents go to nearby villages to work, most work in the thousands

of acres of sugar cane that line the single road into Jobitos. Others

milk cows, setting large urns of milk by the roadside to be picked up

later in the day by trucks coming through town.

The linemen

are quick to say that the scenery surrounding the town, including a river

that runs into the ocean nearby, is beautiful. Lush vegetation lines the

banks of the river, and clear, blue pools of water invite swimming before

it empties into the sea. Colorful fishing boats dot the pristine beaches

along the waterfront.

Encouraged

to take along plenty of insecticide and extra clothing to protect from

both heat and insects, the group of six EMC employees from the U.S. (the

third group there) were hosted by locals; the NRECA had made arrangements

for the group to stay in one of the more modern cottages (still without

air conditioning) and assigned a local woman to cook during their stay.

Fresh seafood, goats and pigs were ordinary fare, and hung from hooks

on the exteriors of local markets. U.S. team was there was a day care

center in Jobitos. To celebrate the opening of the center, the U.S. ambassador

to the Dominican Republic, Janet Jacobs, visited for an open house and

cookout. Locals said it was her first visit to the berg.

"Coweta-Fayette

EMC is extremely proud to have men of this caliber for linemen,"

commented Whiteside on their return. "It was just this spirit of

cooperation that allowed the creation of electric membership cooperatives,

bringing electricity to rural areas. I know that they've been blessed

Smith and Shelnutt

offered heartfelt appreciation for a company that would not only allow

them to participate in such an important trip, but also support the efforts

fully. "We know how fortunate we are to live in America and to work

at the EMC," said Smith.

Whiteside also

expressed his appreciation for the planning and coordination endeavors

of the NRECA, without whom the trip would not have been possible. "We

think 'cooperative' is the perfect term to define our organizations.

"Without

cooperation, little progress can be accomplished in any country, any language

or any corporation," he concluded.

Coweta-Fayette

EMC provides electric power to members in Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether

and parts of South Fulton, Clayton and Spalding counties. Recently, the

EMC introduced a subsidiary, Relyco, to offer and manage a wide variety

of services that are available to both members and non-members, including

home security and monitoring, pagers, installation of BOSE sound equipment

and a surge and lightning damage protection program.

For more information

about the EMC or any of the Relyco products and services, phone 770-502-0226

or visit www.utility.org .

"We pulled three miles of line," explains Smith.

"The poles had been contracted before we got there, and apparently

the locals had dug the holes by hand. They were willing to do whatever

it took to get it, I guess."

While there's a pharmacy approximately two miles from

Jobitos, no hospital is available locally. Among the first buildings to

receive power while the

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