Bob the Electrician Back in Yei
We’ve received an update from Bob the Electrician on the first power lines in Yei, Sudan, in twenty years. You may remember that Bob wrote us a while back after finding our posts about our trip to Sudan last summer. Link to Bob’s first report (with pictures!) is here.
Well here I am once again in Yei. I’m writing from the EPC compound outside using thier wireless internet connection. This trip we’ve intalled more lights and the primary conductor so we can start connecting Tucals and businesses when the transformers and meters come in. We’ve trained 6 guys how to climb poles and do some of the basic work a lineman does in the air. We are also desighning new lines which will eventually reach from the Yei River to the GD ZED compund. We hope to extend out to the missionary school/farm compound in the next year or so. No promises though we have to complete the backbone of the system first and try to get the power company in some sort of financial order. This (hopefully) will be an electric cooperative. God is doing wonders in this town and as a whole over Southern Sudan. I hope to be involved in the creation of electrical systems throughout southern Sudan. I do own my own business and am only able to dedicate a limited time to the project. I’m afraid that I need to spend some time at home putting the peices of the shop back together. But then who knows… God works in mysterious ways and perhaps going back to being a lineman trainer in Sudan is what he wants. Our time this trip is almost over. It’s been another wonderful time. Prayers are always welcome and we’ll be sending them your way as well. My hats are off to the NRECA fulltime staff here in YEI. They have given up much to live here and bring the light of electricity to this town and others like it. Lets keep in touch. I’ll be back stateside next week and focusing on our shop …. But I’ll also be planning for my return to Yei in May or June.
Go with God!
Bob Dalton
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September 2nd, 2006 at 6:04 pm
I’m back at it again. I leave Raleigh Sept 11 for Yei one more time. I’ll return home Nov. 4th. It took a bit longer than anticipated to get the materials on the way to Yei as well as to get my print shop back into profitability. Hopefully it’ll remain that way while I’m gone. This trip we will connect service drops and meter loops to the consumers as well as (God willing) build more of the backbone of the system. The power company is now a real entity. It is a consumer owned Electric Co-operative. My email while on the road is rwd277@yahoo.com
Take care all and may God bless the road traveled!
Bob
November 17th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Well I made it back to the USA again. There have been refreshing changes in Yei. It’s growing up a bit. The power system can formally be called a “Power Distribution Company” now. When I left we actually had around 50 consumers. This trip I “supervized”