Breaking the Silence is a voluntary Maritimes-based network that supports advocacy, human rights, and community development groups in Guatemala working for social, economic, environmental, and cultural justice. Formed in 1988 in response to the genocide, human displacement, and massive human rights violations that occurred in the region during the Internal Armed Conflict, and based at the Tatamagouche Centre in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, BTS has developed partnerships in Guatemala since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996.

Students at the New Hope Foundation School participating in a traditional Maya Achi dance 

At the present time, BTS prioritizes supporting transitional justice–including genocide cases–and support for communities resisting Canadian companies imposing mining operations without their free, prior, and informed consent–with a cross-cutting theme of gender justice. BTS’ work in Guatemala is supported by and closely connected to solidarity work in Canada to raise awareness about human rights violations in Guatemala and to address the root causes of social injustice in Guatemala and in Canada. For more information on BTS and our partners, please consult the information available on our website. 

BTS Solidarity Philosophy

We recognize that injustice is connected to structural inequalities within and between countries. As a network, we are committed to supporting structural transformation both in Guatemala and in Canada. Our work is guided by the understanding that we need to build long-term relationships based on solidarity and mutuality. We respond to the needs and issues defined by our partners and other Guatemalans with whom we work. Our relationships are built on friendship, sharing, and dialogue as we work, learn, and grow together.

Community Cooperant Roles

These 6-12 month placements respond to BTS partners’ requests for solidarity support in community development projects and are open to applicants who have strong interest and skills related to the needs of our partners in Guatemala.

Community Cooperants must meet the following requirements:

• Be available to serve for a minimum period of 6 months to a year starting in January of 2025 in projects determined by BTS partners.
• Be prepared to take on a work placement to provide community development support in areas and ways identified and guided by our partners, based on their needs.
• Be capable of living in a small community and acting as a liaison between BTS and one of our partners through the support of the Lead Cooperant and other BTS staff.
• Have an interest in and the skills needed to develop and foster relationships based on trust, mutuality, and cooperation with BTS partners as well as local communities in Guatemala.
• Support BTS by disseminating information to Canadians, the international community, and the media on the ongoing struggles for justice in Guatemala

Community Cooperant Expectations

• Fundraising: With support from BTS, Cooperants are asked to undertake fundraising efforts to match the BTS monthly stipend to support their participation in the program. We estimate in-country expenses at around $800 per month, so Cooperants are expected to fundraise $400/month for the length of their program. In the past, BTS and Cooperants have been successful in identifying funding sources, often in collaboration with local support committees, including service clubs, university-related bursaries, law foundations, etc.
• Flexibility: Cooperants must be flexible, understanding that the needs and priorities of BTS partners may constantly shift and change. Placements require a willingness to value and prioritize the development of human relationships and accompaniment of community processes rather than expecting high levels of personal achievement, since this may not be a realistic goal.
• Cultural & Language Competency: All Cooperants must possess or have a strong desire and commitment to actively develop strong intercultural skills (including awareness of social location, power & privilege), as well as language proficiency. A minimum of intermediate level spoken Spanish is highly encouraged and/or the Cooperant must undertake further Spanish language training in Guatemala prior to their placement.
• Reflection: The Cooperant Program encourages mutual support and cooperation, requiring Cooperants to participate in regular reflection and communication with the BTS Lead Cooperant and other peers. Cooperants must be prepared to share their thoughts and feelings as well as their joys and struggles with other Cooperants.
• Communications: BTS asks all Cooperants to report regularly on their experiences to the BTS Network and beyond, including local support committees, media, social media, and other organizations as appropriate.
• Training: Cooperants must participate in all program trainings, including the Solidarity & Human Rights Training in Tatamagouche, the in-country orientation, and mid- and end of placement reflections.
• Forming Support Committees: We strongly encourage each Cooperant to form a committee or support group whose purpose is to offer moral and financial support while Cooperants are in their placement. Following their placement, Cooperants are encouraged to continue sharing reflections with their support committee and to find ways to continue to engage them on social justice issues in Guatemala and in Canada.

Participation in BTS before and after Placement: Individuals selected for the Cooperant Program are required to attend the BTS Annual Gathering immediately following training where they will meet BTS members, including former Cooperants and human rights accompaniers, as well as Guatemalan partner guests. It is also BTS’ hope that Cooperants will continue to be engaged with BTS after returning to Canada.

Through the organizing efforts of its network and staff, BTS offers all Cooperants guidance and support, including training, financial support, and mentorship. BTS offers all Cooperants:

• A return flight from Canada to Guatemala for their placement
• Paid health/repatriation insurance
• A stipend of C$400/month to help cover in-country costs including room, board and travel
• The dedicated support of BTS staff in Guatemala and Canada
• Access to a BTS Network support/resource person during placement in Guatemala

Extensive training before, during, and after placements in topics related to human rights, community development, and relevant issues specific to the work of BTS and its partners

Using an experiential, participatory learning approach, participants in the Solidarity & Human Rights Training will:

• Deepen their understanding of the history & philosophy of BTS
• Deepen their understanding & practice of solidarity
• Consider complexities & challenges inherent to solidarity work
• Engage in personal & collective reflection on power, privilege, and oppression
• Be introduced to helpful approaches and tools for engaging in solidarity work
• Clarify their understanding of the Cooperant Program, including roles of short and longer-term Cooperants, BTS policies, and expectations of Cooperants 
• Consider possible dilemmas, challenges and difficulties that Cooperants may face
• Learn about possible responses to challenges faced in this line of work 
• Receive training in security and preparedness when working overseas 
• Learn about BTS financial support and fundraising strategies to prepare for a possible Cooperant placement in Guatemala
• Discern their suitability to participate in the program at this time, with the final decision made by the Training Leadership Team.

Breaking the Silence acknowledges that systemic barriers disproportionately target and affect marginalized communities. We are committed to challenging these systemic inequalities and encourage applications from individuals who represent the full diversity of communities in terms of ability, age, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, we recognize and value lived experience as a legitimate attestation of skills and abilities. 

Priority will be given to people based in or with strong roots in Atlantic Canada in addition to Indigenous, Diasporic, and POC applicants.

How to apply:

1. Review the following checklist to assess whether you meet the program’s basic requirements.

      BTS Cooperants must:

• Hold a valid passport.
• Have provincial health insurance coverage.
• Have intermediate Spanish speaking skills at the time of the placement.
• Demonstrate solid cross-cultural competencies and a commitment to continual anti-oppression learning and practice ahead of, during, and after the placement.
• Be available to attend the Cooperant Solidarity & Human Rights Training at Tatamagouche Centre (Nova Scotia) from May 17 – May 20, 2024.
• Be committed to undertaking a cooperant placement in Guatemala beginning in January 2025.
• Engage in a process of ongoing, critical introspection about your desire and fitness for this program.

2. Review ALL the Cooperant Program information found on all sections of this webpage.

3. Fill out the application on our website and submit by midnight on Friday, February 9.

4. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview the week of February 26.

Final decisions for training will be made by mid- to late March.

Read all cooperant report backs here.

BTS partnerships reflect decades of relationship-building and cooperation. BTS has provided a constant presence through its internship program and international accompaniment in Guatemala. The BTS Cooperant Program seeks to strengthen and deepen our solidarity work in Guatemala and Canada by training and placing BTS Community Cooperants to support, work with, and learn from BTS partners that work on a range of social justice issues. Our partners’ work is wide in scope and all placements require great flexibility and adaptability. We encourage you to read about our partners’ work with the understanding that partner needs for Cooperant placements may evolve and change. Cooperant placements and roles are based on the priorities of BTS’ partners, who seek Canadian collaboration and solidarity at this critical time in Guatemala’s history.

(Click the photos below to view the caption)