The Solar Team

The original team members, Don Turner (passed away on Jan. 31, 2009), George Burns, Eric Smythe and Bob Beattie, were a group of retired engineers from the University of Toronto class of 1952 (5T2). The team now includes:

Bob Beattie, who initiated the project, and lived with his wife Grace for about 9 months of the year in the village of Chenuwitz until January, 2009.

Tara Collins, representing LUTW (Light Up The World).

Roland Vanderburg, team contact person at CAUSE Canada.

George Burns and Eric Smythe, donation gatherers.

Ignacio de Wit, importer/exporter in Guatemala who deals with customs clearances bringing lights and solar panels into Guatemala.

Fernando Aldana, who sources and purchases the batteries and phone chargers locally in Guatemala.

Roman Stoop, a Swiss national who helped wire the first system and serves as contact with the village, and his wife Christina, a native Todos Santos woman who operates a textile shop in Todos Santos and will sell some systems at full price.

Rufino Pablo Jeronimo and Andres Pablo Martin, the village committee members who are experienced in wiring the units, explaining how to install and maintain the system, and fixing problems.

Desiderio and Natalio of IMDI (Instituto Mam Desarollo Integral), the local NGO established by Cause Canada, who will ensure requests are from poor families.

All members volunteer their time for this great project except for Tara, Roland, Rufino and Andres.

Mini Gallery