Celebrating the contributions and insights of our volunteers
(from left to right) BTS volunteers Kathryn Anderson, Yvette Michaud, and Lisa Roberts
By: Maren Mealey and Rae Millis, BTS summer interns
Like many solidarity organizations, Breaking the Silence (BTS) relies heavily on the dedication and commitment of volunteers to accomplish its mission. Many of our volunteers have extensive experience in solidarity work and provide valuable insights into the BTS mission and our relationships with our Guatemalan partners.
Through interviews with six of our volunteers, we gained a deeper understanding of how individuals became involved in solidarity work, their experiences with BTS, and their advice for those interested in joining organizations like ours, Many of our volunteers have been working with BTS since its foundational days. They have shared their stories of how they got involved with solidarity work and how that brought them to BTS.
Kathryn Anderson has been involved since the beginning of BTS in the early eighties and has been working with the Network for 36 years. A founder and member of the Community Council, Kathryn first became engaged in solidarity work through a social justice committee supporting Guatemalan refugees. Her connection and friendships with those she met in Montreal inspired her commitment to stand against the oppression and genocide in Guatemala.
Yvette Michaud has also been involved for more than 30 years. She began working with an Oxfam committee in Fredericton, supporting Guatemalans returning back home, but has always been passionate about supporting marginalized communities. Like Kathryn, Yvette felt a strong connection to get involved in solidarity work with Guatemala due to friendships she had previously established in her refugee work, which had also developed her understanding of the situation in Guatemala, including the ongoing civil war and genocide. She was the first BTS volunteer to visit the Rabinal Community Legal Clinic (ABJP) to address issues like land rights and women’s rights. BTS continues to send interns to Rabinal, maintaining strong connections with our Guatemalan partners.
Carole Woodhall started her journey with BTS in 2001 through the Canadian Union Postal Workers (CUPW), where she helped negotiate an International Solidarity Fund, through which she was able to participate in a BTS delegation in 2001. This fund supports CUPW’s involvement in international labour movements and finances solidarity projects with postal unions. The CUPW Atlantic Region continues to contribute financially to the BTS Network.
Lisa Roberts has been engaged with BTS since 1996. After graduating with a degree in International Development Studies and a minor in Spanish, she looked for ways to get involved in solidarity work. On a whim, she learned about an opportunity to volunteer in Guatemala, which led to her role as a coordinator accompanying refugees returning to Guatemala through international human rights observation.
Beth Abbott began her involvement with BTS in the late 1980s, serving on various committees, including the Community Council, Cooperant Committee, and as a market volunteer with the Halifax local committee. Beth was drawn to BTS because of its direct connection between the Maritimes and Guatemala, and the equal commitment of its volunteers to supporting human rights and social justice.
Hubert De Draak is a new volunteer to BTS who joined us just this year. His interest in social justice and community-building work brought him to the Network. He currently volunteers at the BTS coffee stand at the Halifax Forum Farmers’ Market and is helping create a new BTS informational video.
What sets BTS apart
Our volunteers possess a deep understanding of the BTS mission and what sets it apart from other organizations. They emphasize that BTS goes beyond Fair Trade—it’s about “Fair Trade Plus,” which means not only supporting fair prices for growers but also advocating for land and labour rights through our partners at the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA). This approach helps growers live sustainable lives and supports community growth. The money raised from BTS coffee sales supports the CCDA’s work on land and labour rights in communities facing severe challenges.
Many volunteers expressed how BTS’s mission differentiates it from other organizations due its commitment to relationship-building, knowledge on the importance of Fair Trade Plus, and its continued effort to remain humble and engaged in learning from our partners. Carole states that, “BTS is more than a charity in that it is a grassroots organization. BTS has forged relationships with people on the ground, and is continuously examining those relationships. Solidarity is an active word. It is premised on the idea that people at the base know and understand their needs and have agency over their lives.”
Kathryn brought up the importance of differentiating between a solidarity model and a charity model, expressing, “[It’s] always about relationships, not just politics or social justice. It is about politics and social justice, but through our relationships. So, it becomes personal and political at the same time.” Hubert reflects on how the BTS mission reminds us not to take a cup of coffee for granted, acknowledging the many people involved in its journey from farm to cup: “… to realize that it’s been planted, nurtured, picked, transported, roasted, packed, and transported again by countless people who typically don’t enjoy the everyday comforts, conveniences, and privileges that we do.”
Memories that made a lasting impression
BTS offers numerous opportunities for involvement at various levels. Our volunteers often recall their experiences on trips to Guatemala, which have left lasting impressions on them. Yvette cherishes the memory of her first visit to Rabinal as a volunteer, where she helped establish connections that remain strong today. Kathryn recalls a BTS delegation where a Guatemalan delegate spoke about the impact of Canadian mining companies on local communities. This revelation shocked many of the Maritime delegates, who were unaware of the harm caused by their own country’s economic activities in Guatemala—a problem that persists today.
Carole’s most impactful memory was her visit to Guatemala, where she witnessed mass graves, visited a sacred Mayan spiritual site, and learned about a permaculture project. This experience deepened her understanding of the lives of our Guatemalan partners. Lisa fondly remembers visiting a coffee plantation in her twenties with a delegation, celebrating the long-standing relationship between BTS and the community—a relationship that has continued for more than thirty years.
Beth‘s most memorable experience was returning to Guatemala in 2023 after a twenty-year absence for a new cooperant orientation. She said, “It was amazing and heartwarming to see the joyful and meaningful connections built up over so many years by so many BTS-ers.” Hubert, though new to BTS, has been deeply impressed by the dedication and knowledge within the partnership with our Guatemalan partners.
Advice for those interested in solidarity work
Finally, our volunteers shared their advice for those interested in getting involved in solidarity work. Their insights, based on personal experience, are inspiring for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Yvette emphasized the importance of understanding the inequalities between countries and how these affect our relationships with our partners: “In many places, people do not have a government that supports their projects to improve social, political, and economic justice in their country.”
Kathryn spoke about the value of building relationships, saying, “They become our teachers and our friends.” Lisa advised, “Be open-minded, ready to learn, and approach the work with humility. Showing up, continuing to show up, and recognizing that many people doing a small amount can make a difference.” Beth added, “You can always learn more and contribute. BTS is a welcoming and beneficial organization for getting involved in solidarity work.” Hubert shared, “Be prepared for the long haul and a lack of instant results. Be ready to meet wonderful, positive, and energizing people.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to our volunteers for sharing their stories with us and for their unwavering support. We also admire their dedication to maintaining long-term relationships with our partners in Guatemala.
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