The Leprosy Mission Bequest Brochure

Your will to touch leprosy lives can be very uplifting!

How to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in your will

Leprosy is curable, but the disability and stigma it causes can severely impact mobility, affect marriage prospects, exclude children from school and make it difficult to get a job.

Willing to make a world of difference Jesus had such deep feelings for people with leprosy he reached out and touched them and said, “be whole again.”

You too can touch lives affected by leprosy – by the simple act of leaving a bequest to The Leprosy Mission Australia (TLMA) in your will.

It costs you nothing now, but by leaving a bequest in your will, you can make lives whole again, long after your own lifetime.

Your bequest will enable TLMA to offer medicine, support and hope to some of the poorest people in the world.

As a non-profit organisation, TLMA depends substantially on the gifts and legacies it receives.

Through the power of your will, you can help cure leprosy and make lives whole again – just as Jesus did.

Please help us eradicate leprosy forever, by nominating TLMA in your will. By letting us know of your intentions you give us the confidence to plan ahead for the work of TLMA, and give hope for the future.

Surgery and rehabilitation can give back the movement and function that leprosy had stolen.

Our Mission Your Vision Our mission is to restore the lives of people affected by leprosy. The ongoing support of caring donors is vital if we are to achieve this goal. Your vision can give The Leprosy Mission Australia (TLMA) the power to release people from the trauma of leprosy and change the lives of some of the poorest people in the world in a truly miraculous way.

For centuries those affected by leprosy have been cast out by their families and ostracised by their communities. When not treated quickly, leprosy can cause severe and irreversible damage.

Leprosy also impacts the lives of the families of sufferers, who can

be shunned by society or refused entrance into public institutions, such as schools or hospitals.

TLMA is committed to empowering individuals, families and communities affected by leprosy or at risk of the disease. TLMA encourages them to take an active role in the detection and treatment of the disease, and offers them the power to make choices that will positively impact on their lives.

In the end we want to hear people say, “I’ve been cured of leprosy and I am a valued and respected person.”

TLMA’s goal is empowerment, not dependency.

Empowerment enables each person affected by leprosy to reach their potential as a full participant in their community.

This gives them pride, dignity and a sense of worth.

When Narayan participed in a TLM self-help group, he learnt the new skill of stool making. He is happy his business provides for his family and covers the costs of his medical expenses.

Every two minutes someone is diagnosed with leprosy. That’s more than 200,000 cases a year.

Children are especially vulnerable. Clean water and health care reduces the risk of children being affected by leprosy.

What to do A will is easy to prepare. Everyone over the age of 18 should have one.

It is also important to review your will and keep it updated with any change of circumstances.

A will is a legal document that names who you want to receive the property and possessions you own at the date of your death. These are known as your beneficiaries.

To be valid your will needs to be: In writing – this includes handwritten, typed or printed; Signed – your signature should be at the end of the will;

Witnessed – two witnesses must sign to acknowledge your signature in your presence.

You can make a will yourself if you wish; printed will forms are available from stationers and Australia Post outlets. However, many people seek professional advice for peace of mind.

Please consider nominating The Leprosy Mission Australia as a beneficiary in your will.

By preparing a legal will, when the time comes, your estate – that is, everything you own – can be distributed in accordance with your wishes.

Who to tell and see When you make your will, the members of your family are the first ones to be considered.

Care needs to be taken when making out a will. The wording must be clear to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion.

That is why it is usually best to seek some professional advice.

Solicitors or trustee companies will advise on how best to prepare your will. Fees for the service are usually quite low.

If you would like to leave a bequest to The Leprosy Mission Australia, and you or your professional advisor would like to contact us about leaving a bequest please feel free to do so.

If you have incluled The Leprosy Mission Australia in your will, we would appreciate your letting us know – we would very much like to thank you and keep you updated on our work.

Please let us know about your will to help cure leprosy and make lives whole.

Leprosy is a disease of poverty. Poor diet, sanitation and living conditions make people more susceptible, while lack of medical care makes it hard to access treatment.

Why I have included The Leprosy Mission Australia in my will In my lifetime I have witnessed a dramatic drop in the number of people who have been affected by leprosy. We’ve come a long way since the days when around 20 million people in the world needed treatment. But still there are 250,000 that we know of, needing help, and we expect that to continue for at least 2 decades.

The Leprosy Mission has been a part of my life for more than 40 years and I have been privileged to see their work in India, Thailand, Laos and Nepal. Over the years I have got to know the staff both at home and overseas.

I have never failed to be impressed by what I’ve seen. They achieve

so much in what they do with so few resources. Their calibre, commitment and tireless efforts are just amazing. The love of Christ exhibited in their love for those they serve is evident, and the fruit of their labours is seen by the acceptance into society of those who are affected by leprosy. Lives are being transformed - physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

The Leprosy Mission deserves all the support we can muster. I’m happy to endorse this work and to go on contributing to it, even when I’m no longer around to see it!

Denise Scott Bequest Ambassador – The Leprosy Mission Australia

What to say After having made suitable provision for family members, many people consider making a bequest or a series of bequests to worthy organisations.

Bequest leaves a portion of your estate to a nominated person or organisation, or you could choose to leave a parcel of shares, or real estate as a bequest item.

They may be organisations you have supported for many years, or ones whose work you admire but were unable to support financially in your lifetime.

If you would like to leave a bequest to The Leprosy Mission Australia you can add a codicil to your existing will and you may like to follow the suggested wording below.

There are different types of bequests. For example a Residual

Form of bequest “I give (please indicate one of the following) a) a specific amount:........................................or b) a % of the estate:........................................ or c) the residue of the estate:............................ to The Leprosy Mission Australia of 37-39 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, for its charitable purposes.�

Your will demonstrates your ongoing support for the causes that have been important to you in your lifetime.

Including The Leprosy Mission in your will is easy.

It won’t cost you now, yet it gives us the power and confidence to give hope for the future.

Please let us know about your will to touch leprosy lives I am planning to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in my will.

Please assist me in this process

Please contact me with further details

Yes, I have taken the necessary steps

My contact details Name (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Rev/Dr) Address State

Postcode

Email Phone Year of birth

You can also register this information online at www.leprosymission.org.au or freecall 1800 617 679 Your personal details will be stored on our secure database and will not be passed onto a third party and will only be used for the intended purpose.

Your own information can be accessed once adequately identified. Our privacy policy is available at www.leprosymission.org.au/TLM/PrivacyStatement or call 1800 617 679 for a hard copy.

Love Reaches Out

The Leprosy Mission Around the World

Support work

Field work

Field and Support Work

TLMA works in partnerships with individuals and communities affected by leprosy in 29 countries worldwide, in order to restore and enhance human dignity, self-reliance and quality of life. The Leprosy Mission Australia carries out all of its work in and under the name of Jesus Christ. The Leprosy Mission’s vision is audacious; a world without leprosy.

The Leprosy Mission Australia ABN 52 354 004 543 | PO Box 293, Box Hill VIC 3128 Phone: (03) 9890 0577 | www.leprosymission.org.au