At the base of pole on the right, Kyle Finley, with donations from electric co-ops and volunteers from his church helped spread a little light at a Dominican Republic church camp.

Generating hope
in the Dominican Republic

Kyle Finley is one who thinks Americans should be very grateful for what they have and that they should do their best to share with others. Thanks to Finley and others like him—and a handful of Illinois electric cooperatives—a Dominican church camp now has some dependable power. Finley returned recently from his second visit to the tiny Caribbean island, where he goes occasionally to donate work.

The Dominican Republic, which makes up half of the island of Haiti, is a poor nation, with a percapita income of about $1,000 a year. Conditions are primitive, especially in rural areas.

Some time ago, members of Finley's church, the Old Union Church of Christ in Danville, decided to begin missionary work there. They set out to build a camp where they could hold meetings, offer retreats and train preachers.

"Our missionary there, Rick York, got the ball rolling in 1994. It was set up so a family could go for a three-day weekend for just $8. While that's really reasonable, it's a major expense there. But they have large commons building, dorms, a caretaker's house and a kitchen and dining hall. There's also a basketball court, volleyball, and a baseball diamond. They hope to put in an in-ground pool soon, and to build a chapel."

Finley, who used to work for Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative (EIEC), now operates Live Line Demo, Inc., and teaches electric safety at schools, volunteer fire departments, electric co-ops and other organizations. He went to the Dominican in 1997 to build lines to bring electricity to the camp. Where electricity is available Finley says it is a rat's nest of wiring and extremely dangerous conditions. He uses his photos and video from the trip in his talks with linemen here in Illinois.

"We set poles, ran wire throughout the camp, and put lights in each of the buildings. The electricity's provided by a generator, which is the only way to get dependable power there," said Finley.

He notes that he had asked EIEC to donate some materials, and the co-op responded generously. "I asked them again this year, and they were every bit as generous," he said. "I also approached Corn Belt Energy Corporation, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Adams Electric Cooperative and Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative. I wasn't surprised when they all contributed generously."

Then the fun began. Finley notes that it's so difficult to get materials through customs that the group decided to take everything into the country in their suitcases.

"There were 12 people going," he says, "and we were each entitled to take two large suitcases weighing 70 Ib. each. We'd put in security light bulbs, coils of wire and the like, and we'd check the weight. If the suitcase weighed only 68 Ib., we'd reopen it and throw in a couple of pounds of stuff. We wanted to take in as much as we could, because the need is so great."

He stresses that the need for even the most basic of items is great, and that members of the group packed lots of clothing they no longer needed, with the idea of leaving behind everything but the clothes on their backs.

"It's a good feeling to help others," Finley says, "because we're so fortunate here. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to give back even a little."

For more information about the missionary project or Live Line Demo, Finley can be reached at (217)759-7916.

JULY 1999 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 11