As part of its mandate and in implementation of Recommendation No. 49 of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR) concerning the children of deceased victims, the High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) officially launched the Scholarship Programme for Orphans of Victims of the 2005 Socio-Political Events on 29 August 2022.
In accordance with the recommendation, each eligible orphan is entitled to a total educational grant of CFAF 1,260,000, disbursed over a period of five years. The assistance is paid at the rate of CFAF 252,000 per year, equivalent to CFAF 21,000 per month, to support school fees, educational materials and other education-related expenses.
The launch ceremony marked the admission of the programme’s first 100 beneficiaries, each of whom received an initial payment of CFAF 63,000, representing three months of educational assistance. Thereafter, beneficiaries would receive their monthly allowance through individual savings accounts established for the programme.
Parents and legal guardians warmly welcomed this initiative, describing it as timely support at the beginning of the 2022–2023 academic year and a significant contribution to meeting the educational needs of the children.
The launch of the programme followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by HCRRUN to confirm the identity of each beneficiary, their status as an orphan of a victim of the 2005 socio-political events, and their enrolment in formal education or vocational training. The exercise also verified that each child was under the care of a surviving parent or legal guardian.
Through this programme, HCRRUN continues to implement the recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission while reaffirming the State’s commitment to protecting the rights of child victims and promoting equal access to education as an essential component of the reparations process.
