HCRRUN carried out a mid-term evaluation of the results of orphaned children benefiting from the scholarship and assistance programme

Recommendation No. 49 of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR) provides for “the award of a scholarship to children who are direct victims of violence, and the award of an annual schooling allowance payable for five years to children of direct victims”. To this end, the High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) carried out, on 10 and 11 September 2024, respectively at the Concorde Hotel and at its headquarters in Lomé, an evaluation of the results of orphaned children benefiting from the scholarship and assistance programme, after it was established in 2022. These follow-up and exchange meetings brought together, in turn, orphaned school pupils and students, as well as apprentices, who are children of direct victims of the unfortunate socio-political events of 2005.

Overall, the evaluation noted encouraging results, in that the beneficiaries are aware of this support linked to their situation and are doing their utmost to succeed in their training or academic pathway.

“Today more than ever, the President of the Republic is determined to continue offering these vulnerable human beings the help and support they are entitled to expect from the State. In this spirit, the necessary financial resources are made available to enable HCRRUN to continue and calmly expand this scholarship and assistance programme. In this regard, we are pleased to announce that HCRRUN continues to do its part by promptly examining the many requests that are flooding its desk concerning the orphans of 2005”, indicated the President of HCRRUN, Mrs Awa Nana-Daboya, in her opening remarks. According to her, through these educational and pragmatic meetings, HCRRUN intends not only to applaud those who deserve it, but also to understand those who are experiencing difficulties in their schooling or training. The objective is to support the children and their parents in making efficient use of these scholarships and assistance granted for a period of five years.

“I express my encouragement to the beneficiaries in view of the results, but much effort must also be made by both the children and the parents and guardians if we want to benefit from the immense sacrifices made by the State. I urge the children to apply themselves more at school and in their various apprenticeship workshops, and I strongly invite parents to show greater demands, but also affection towards these fragile souls, knowing how to use both the stick and the carrot”, stressed the President of HCRRUN.

It should be noted that sets of school supplies were distributed to children who achieved good academic results.