In a ceremony presided over by Minister of Public Servants Mathias Traoré, the Caisse Autonome de Retraite des Fonctionnaires (CARFO) awarded 1,200 scholarships to children of deceased civil servants and security forces personnel. The initiative, established in 2008, aims to support the education of orphans and vulnerable children. This year's scholarships are valued at 100,000 FCFA each, with an additional 800 scholarships mobilized through partnerships, totaling 80 million FCFA.
The scholarships will be awarded to children of deceased civil servants, with priority given to those whose parents were pensioners of the CARFO. According to CARFO Director-General Hyacinthe Tamalgo, each scholar will receive an envelope of 100,000 FCFA and a bag of rice for their family. The top 10 high school graduates among the beneficiaries will receive an excellence award of 200,000 FCFA. The initiative has enabled many children to continue their education, with some progressing to university level.
The CARFO has seen a growing number of requests for scholarships, and the institution aims to continue its support for vulnerable children. To be eligible, applicants must be children of CARFO pensioners or orphans. Returning scholars must have a good academic record, without having been excluded from school or repeated a class twice. The CARFO's efforts have been praised by stakeholders, who emphasize the importance of supporting these children to achieve their full potential.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Secondary, Professional, and Technical Education Pr Moumouni Zoungrana, and representatives from Vista Bank Holding, which partnered with CARFO to support the initiative. Roland Tiemtoré, representing Simon Tiemtoré, the sponsor of the 19th edition, emphasized the collective responsibility to support these children and ensure they have a bright future.
Andrea Ilboudo, a beneficiary of the scholarship, shared her story of struggle after her father's passing. She praised the CARFO for providing her with a scholarship, which enabled her and her sister to continue their education. Ilboudo expressed her gratitude and hopes to become an expert accountant in the future. Her sister, who received a scholarship in 2024, will start secondary school this year.
Minister Mathias Traoré emphasized that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Ibrahim Traoré to improve education in Burkina Faso. The scholarship program is a symbol of collective responsibility towards those who have served the nation, often making the ultimate sacrifice. The minister praised the digitalization efforts at CARFO, which facilitated the successful distribution of scholarships to beneficiaries across the country.
The 19th edition of the scholarship program has been hailed as a success, with over 1,200 scholarships awarded. The CARFO's efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children, enabling them to pursue their education and build a brighter future. The institution's commitment to supporting these children has been recognized by stakeholders, who emphasize the importance of continued support for these initiatives.
Key points
- The CARFO has awarded 1,200 scholarships to children of deceased civil servants and security forces personnel, valued at 100,000 FCFA each.
- The initiative aims to support the education of orphans and vulnerable children, with a focus on those whose parents were pensioners of the CARFO.
- The CARFO has seen a growing number of requests for scholarships, and the institution aims to continue its support for vulnerable children.
