Accompaniment and Cooperant Program
After several years of rest, the BTS Cooperant Program saw a comeback in 2019. Returning for a two year pilot period, the program aims to bring 6-8 cooperants from across the Maritime region to Guatemala for short and long-term human rights & community development placements. Facilitating this endeavour was made possible through network support with the establishment of a Cooperant Committee as well as BTS Staff, including the hiring of Este Chep as Lead Cooperant who was tasked with relaunching and overseeing the program.
To find out more about the program, email BTS’ Lead Cooperant at btscooperant (at) gmail.com.
Report-backs from previous accompaniers and cooperants
Justice for the 36 Maya Achi Women: Report-Back on Speaking Tour with Gloria Reyes
By: Stacey Gomez, BTS Maritimes Coordinator From October 26-30th, lawyer Gloria Reyes of the Rabinal Legal Clinic spoke throughout the Maritimes on the case of the 36 women from Rabinal seeking justice for sexual violence committed during Guatemala's Internal Armed Conflict. As a member of legal team for the case, [...]
June 6th Update from Case of 36 Achi Survivors of Sexual Violence
On Thursday, June 6th, a Guatemala City Court held the latest preliminary hearing against 6 former Civil Patrollers accused of committing sexual violence in Rabinal during the Internal Armed Conflict. The case has been brought forward by 36 Achi survivors of sexual violence committed from 1981 to 1985. Thursday’s hearing [...]
Report back: #NosDuelen56 Speaking tour with Mayra Jimenez of Ocho Tijax
Mayra Jimenez of Ocho Tijax spoke throughout the Maritimes from February 28th to March 9th, in lead up to the 2nd anniversary of the Hogar Seguro tragedy. She visited Fredericton, Sackville, Halifax, Antigonish and Tatamagouche, sharing the story of the 56 girls. The tragedy occurred on March 8, 2017. Police [...]
Overwhelming international support for Guatemalan communities resisting Tahoe’s Escobal mine
This past month, over 3,700 individuals took action in support of Guatemalan communities right to say “No” to Tahoe Resources’ Escobal mine. The action re-sent a letter delivered to Tahoe Resources’ offices in Reno, NV and Guatemala City by allies at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) and representatives [...]
Report-back: Speaking Tour & Annual Gathering with Sandra Moran
Thirty years after her first visit to the Maritimes, Sandra Moran returned to the East coast this past June, this time as BTS' invited guest for our annual speaking tour. Sandra, who first visited the Maritimes as a member of the revolutionary musical group Kin Lalat, is an accomplished musician, [...]