While on placement, the cooperant is also eligible to receive an additional portion of the monthly living allowance for up to a maximum of two designated, accompanying family members, and for limited support of educational expenses if either or both of the designated family members are children.

Although family presence provides support for the cooperant, there are additional challenges, as not all family members will have the same motivation, nor experience the placement in the same way. Not all placements are suitable for couples and/or family. Likewise, not all families are prepared for the pressures of adaptation to a new environment and culture.

Informal research demonstrates that the rate of early end of contract for couples is higher than for single persons, while couples with accompanying children may have an early termination rate as high as 40%. In some countries, the early termination rate for families has been close to 100%. An early termination of the placement is costly, both emotionally and financially, for the cooperant and family members.

The following information is provided to help you and your family members to understand the process and realities of applying as a couple/family. If additional information or clarification is required at any stage of your application, please refer to section 5 of the Cooperant Policy Manual (CPM), accessible through the CUSO website, or contact the CUSO Ottawa office.

Definition of Spouse

A spouse is defined in CPM Section 5.4, 1) as: “A same-sex or heterosexual partner who is legally married to the cooperant, or has been cohabiting with the cooperant in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year prior to departure”. CUSO reserves the right to require proof of the spousal relationship for benefits entitlement and insurance administration.


How to Apply as a Couple

When applying for a CUSO placement, applicants should carefully read Part C, points (3) and (12) of the Placement Description to determine whether or not the placement is suitable for a couple. When applying as a couple, there are two options:

Option 1
Each person in the couple applies for a CUSO placement. Although two existing CUSO placements in one location are unlikely, the overseas offices may be able to develop a placement for the spouse based on his/her skills and experience. If both members of the couple would like CUSO placements, they should individually submit resumes, applications, and personal or motivational statements. Each member of the couple will be interviewed, even if a second placement has not yet been identified (in such a case, the interview would be more general in nature).

NOTE: It may be impossible to place two cooperants in the same location if there are insufficient CUSO partner organizations or if housing arrangements are restricted.

Option 2
One person in the couple applies for and is approved for a CUSO placement (the cooperant). The other becomes the cooperant’s “unassigned accompanying spouse”, or UAS. An unassigned spouse should consider the nature of the cooperant’s placement carefully, as many UAS experience physical and psychological isolation when the placement demands extensive travel. As family relationships are critical to the success or failure of a placement, the UAS of an approved cooperant will be expected to participate in an assessment meeting with the Cooperant Programming Representative. As well, the UAS is expected to participate in both the Canada and in-country orientations.

NOTE: If you are to be accompanied by an unassigned spouse, or children, this must be indicated on the “Personal Information Form” which is completed after you have accepted CUSO’s conditional offer of placement. Accompanying family members are expected to leave for the placement at the same time as the cooperant.

Restrictions on Placing Couples

CUSO will not knowingly place a couple in a country where their safety and security will be compromised. For instance, same-sex couples should investigate the laws and practices of the countries in which they would like to be placed, as homosexuality is illegal in some countries. As well, local laws can prohibit spousal visas for same-sex couples. A CUSO contract will not be signed if any accompanying family member is unable to obtain the required visas.

Not all countries recognize common-law spouses. Married couples with different last names may have to provide a marriage certificate or “equivalent to married” letter to receive a spousal visa. If the accompanying spouse is a non-Canadian, special arrangements and health insurance may be required.

Leaving a Spouse and/or Children Behind

Some cooperants choose to go to placement alone, leaving their spouse and/or children in the home country. In such instances, the cooperant may be required to provide proof that arrangements are in place to deal with the financial, custodial and other obligations related to family remaining in Canada. CUSO does not offer provisions for family reunion, and will not undertake any communications or costs related to the cooperant’s family obligations or to disputes between the cooperant and the spouse. Visits by non-accompanying family members will be at the cooperant’s expense, and CUSO will not provide emergency medical support for visiting family members. In CUSO’s experience, leaving a spouse behind puts the cooperant at high risk of an early end of contract. Cross-cultural experiences are stressful, and cooperants need to have mechanisms for emotional and professional support.

Divorce/Separation

CUSO’s experience also suggests that cooperants who go on placement in the first year after a divorce or separation have a higher risk of early end of contract. In addition, if you are responsible for child custody payments, you should consider the financial impacts of a CUSO placement, which is not intended to provide sufficient income for such payments.

Children

Applicants who will be accompanied by children should carefully read Part B point (12) of the Placement Description. Some placements may be unsuitable for children for a variety of reasons: remote health facilities; inadequate educational facilities; inadequate housing; etc. Some elements to investigate when bringing a family with you are:

Responsibility for Accompanying Family Members

Both the cooperant and family members may be perceived as representatives of CUSO. The cooperant will be held responsible for the actions and attitudes of his family. Inappropriate behaviour on anyone’s part may have unexpected, negative and perhaps damaging consequences for the relationships between cooperant, partner organization, host country and CUSO. If local laws are contravened by a family member, the cooperant will be responsible for any legal fees, and the situation may lead to early termination of the cooperant’s contract.