- Phone: (011) 440 6323
- peter@tlm.co.za
Leprosy Mission Southern Africa
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Wills and Bequests
We spend our lives creating our legacy, which lives in the hearts of our family and friends who will remember us as the “Doting Nana”, “Devoted Dad”, “Loving Mother” or “Dependable Friend.”
Along with these treasured memories that we bequeath to our loved ones, we leave a material legacy, consisting of the assets that we have acquired.
Bequeathing this material legacy to the next generation is an important process.
To ensure that your material assets are distributed according to your wishes, you must have a valid will. If you have not yet signed a will, set aside time to start the process. A will gives you peace of mind, knowing that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. Whether we think we have few or lots of assets, we all need a will.
The Scriptures encourage us to manage our assets wisely [Proverbs 21:20]. A will is an important tool for the Godly, orderly and wise management of your assets. It reflects your values and priorities, such as your love for your family and friends, your community and your love for God.
Your will gives you the opportunity to bequeath part of your assets for the extension of the Kingdom of God.
We leave our assets behind when we go to heaven, but we can ensure that others join us there by providing for the work to continue in His vineyard. Your bequest to God’s work will play a momentous role in growing the Kingdom of Heaven.
Many gracious friends have left bequests to the Leprosy Mission in their wills, which have placed the Word of God in the hands of people suffering from leprosy and have enabled the Leprosy Mission to provide leprosy patients with the best possible care and offering them the hope that comes from knowing Jesus.
Listen to what children from KwaZulu-Natal had to say by way of thanks to the generous supporters of the Leprosy Mission:
“You gave me a chance to find a way to make my future better. Because of you, I am born again. Now I know what to do to make my future bright.”
“Thank you for sending me to the youth camp. I was nervous when I went. I didn’t finish school because the children teased me about my leprosy. My heart was hurt. I started doing funny things like taking drugs.
“I was scared that people at the youth camp would laugh at me too, but I found new friends and we enjoyed ourselves.
“I thought I was useless, but pastor Mahlangu said that God knew me from before I was born. He will bring me home.
“I learned so many things about Jesus. I connected my life to Jesus.”
“I know the Bible is the Word of God. It is the manual for my life.
“My life is changing. It is because of all of the Leprosy Mission’s friends.
“I got all this knowledge and skills because of you. I thank you very much. God will bless you.”
“We were taught how to grow up and be better men. I promise that everything I learnt will guide me in future. I will use this opportunity to change my life. Please do the same for other children.”
“If you don’t know God, your life will end in a bad situation. You must know your destiny. Thank you for giving me the chance to have this good experience at this beautiful place.”
“I thank you for this with all my heart and wish you all the best and I hope you will do the same for other children.”
May I ask you to consider including a bequest to the Leprosy Mission in your will? Your legacy will change the eternal destiny of people suffering from leprosy.
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is a bandit, robbing people of their hands, feet, eyes, family and friends.
Leprosy attacks the skin and nerves. It is curable. Treatment is free. Untreated leprosy leads to a loss of sensation in the eyes, hands and feet. Disabilities result from the patient’s inability to feel pain. It is a stigmatising disease. Rejection by family and friends is common. Education is a luxury for most patients. Unemployment and poverty lurk at the door.
Who is the Leprosy Mission?
The Leprosy Mission is a group of Christian missionaries providing a range of services for people affected by leprosy. For the past 75 years, the Leprosy Mission’s dedicated team have been transforming the lives of leprosy patients, all thanks to your generosity. The Leprosy Mission team also runs a general disability programme called “RampUp”.
What does the Leprosy Mission want to achieve?
We want to stop leprosy. Specifically, we intend to stop the transmission of leprosy by 2035.
How will you do this?
There are four steps to defeating leprosy:
We teach people to recognise leprosy early, before disabilities start. Unless we show people how to recognise leprosy at this stage, leprosy will never stop robbing people of life and limb.
Leprosy can be cured, but only if leprosy patients receive treatment, which may last for two or more years. The Leprosy Mission ensures that medication is available to leprosy patients at clinics near their homes, wherever they live, for as long as they need it. Treatment is free and barriers to treatment, like a lack of transport, are torn down.
Leprosy can be stopped if we find leprosy patients before they transmit the disease to other people. Contacts of patients are screened and treated to break the chain of transmission.
Jesus demonstrated great love and compassion for people affected by leprosy during His earthly ministry. The Leprosy Mission shares His love with people affected by leprosy. Being reconciled with God is a key aspect of being set free from the bondage of leprosy.
What services do Leprosy Mission workers provide?
Leprosy Mission workers provide free treatment for leprosy patients throughout South Africa.
Field workers teach patients to avoid disabilities by showing them how to care for their injured hands, feet and eyes. Home visits provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to leprosy patients and their families.
Our personnel run education programmes, teaching health workers how to recognise and treat leprosy.
Leprosy patients also received assistance with education and employment.
Can leprosy be defeated?
Great progress has been made in the fight against leprosy. In the early 1980s, several million people were affected by leprosy. Currently, about 200 000 people are diagnosed with leprosy each year. This 90% decline is largely thanks to the widespread use of a combination of tablets since 1981. Stigma, lack of awareness and poverty stand between us and the ultimate eradication of leprosy. These factors mean that some people are prevented from receiving treatment. The Leprosy Mission, with your help, has a plan to treat these hard to reach patients.
What is a will?
A will is a document that specifies how the assets in your estate are to be distributed. It needs to comply with certain legalities and is best drafted by a professional.
What is a bequest?
Your stipulations in your will constitute bequests or legacies. A bequest to the Leprosy Mission can take the form of a specific sum of money, a portion of the residue of your estate, a physical asset like a vehicle or an insurance policy.
Is the value of my bequest to the Leprosy Mission deductible from the value of my estate for tax purposes?
Yes, bequests to the Leprosy Mission are free of estate duty. The value of a bequest to the Leprosy Mission will be deducted from the value of your estate before estate duty is calculated. The Leprosy Mission is registered with the SARS Tax Exemption Unit. The Mission’s registration number is PBO 18/11/13/1044.
I’d like to leave a bequest to the Leprosy Mission. How do I word it?
Your legal advisor is the best person to advise you on the wording of your will. Your bequest could be worded as follows:
“I bequeath the sum of R_____ to the Leprosy Mission Southern Africa”
or
“I bequeath ___ percent of the residue of my estate to the Leprosy Mission Southern Africa.”
Thank you so very much for considering the Leprosy Mission when drafting your will.
With richest blessings
Peter Laubscher
Executive Director
Leprosy Mission Southern Africa