Using Engineering Skills to Serve in Guatemala

Corey Whitenton had been in the workforce for three years after graduating with a mechanical engineering degree through the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Extended Campus at Paducah when he decided that it was time to give back to society. 

“Since God blessed me with an education and a great job, I felt it was necessary that I give part of my time and resources to those who are less fortunate than me." 

When an opportunity came along for Whitenton to go on a mission trip with the “Walk A Mile” project, he immediately gave an enthusiastic “Yes!”

The mission group traveled to Panajachel, Guatemala and surrounding villages. The mission group consisted of a medical team and a construction team.  Together, it was able to build 17 houses and provide various medical treatments to approximately 550 patients.  Whitenton served on the construction team, building houses for needy families.

“It was very humbling to see how extremely grateful the families were to receive the houses. In the United States, we would compare these houses to something like a tool shed.  But to the people of Guatemala, it was a house.  And not just a house, but a home! It brought me a great deal of joy to serve these precious families.  We were able to show love and kindness to the people of Guatemala, as well as share the Gospel message with them." 

Whitenton credits his education at UK Paducah for supplying him with the skills that enabled him to serve.

“This experience reminded me of just how fortunate I am to live in the United States, where I am given limitless opportunities.  I am very privileged to have obtained a top-notch education at a university that was right in my backyard.”