Missouri co-op linemen head to Jamaica to help rebuild infrastructure
STORY by Jim McCarty
Since 2016, Missouri On a Mission International Program teams have built power lines in two countries on seven separate trips. Thousands of previously unserved people in Bolivia and Guatemala now have the benefits of electricity thanks to the volunteer linemen who left their homes and families in the U.S. to build power lines and wire houses.
This year Missouri On a Mission will add Jamaica to its destination list on an altogether different project. Instead of building new power lines, they will be restoring power to people in the island nation left in the dark by Hurricane Melissa’s destruction.
“This is going to be more of a restoration trip rather than a new build,” says Craig Moeller, the Missouri International Program project coordinator. “We are going to try this and see how it goes. It’s going to be a unique project on its own. It’s a total repair, 100% from what I’ve been told.”
Widespread Devastation
On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest ever to hit the country. The slow-moving storm left havoc in its wake, causing widespread devastation with winds that topped 175 mph.
More than 120,000 homes were left without roofs. Schools, businesses and hospitals also were destroyed. An estimated 75% of the electric infrastructure was damaged, leaving the people without lights, air conditioning and refrigeration.
The Jamaica Public Service Co. reached out to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Program with a request for lineworkers to assist with reconstruction. A crew of co-op linemen from around the U.S. worked from Dec. 1-19 in Jamaica. Cole Pennewell, a lineman from Northeast Power, Palmyra, was part of the team. He’s also a veteran of the 2024 Missouri On a Mission project in Viucalvitz, Guatemala.
Co-ops Lend a Hand
Plans are in place for two more electric co-op crews to lend a hand in early 2026, including the eight-man team from Missouri. They are expected to leave Jan. 12 and return at the end of the month.
The Missouri team will include Colton Stickferd and Chris Turner, Black River Electric in Fredericktown; Rodney Braddy and Jacob Tiefenthaler, Cuivre River Electric in Troy; Joe Lay, Lewis County REC in Lewistown; Eric Peeper, N.W. Electric Power in Cameron; Alex Buschjost, Three Rivers Electric in Linn; and Jared Kelley, SEMO Electric in Sikeston.
You can learn more about the Missouri On a Mission International Program and follow the latest effort at www.facebook.com/MissouriInternationalProgram.