imagine a person’s future being your legacy€¦ · a delighted twoyearold baraka from tanzania...

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Imagine a person’s futurebeing your legacy

www.sightsavers.ie/legacies Registered Charity Number CHY 15437

Your guide to leaving a gift inyour Will to Sightsavers

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Sightsavers has set a goal to raise €36 million andworking with partners throughout Asia and Africa,we plan to use this money to fund one millionsightrestoring operations by the end of 2018.

A Million Miracles Appeal

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Patients waiting area ColomboEye Hospital, Sri Lanka


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Why make a Will?

Thinking about making a Will can be difficultand some people have all sorts of reasons fornot making one, but for others it’s a chance toseriously consider how they may shape thefuture, even after they're gone.

Making a Will is probably one of the mostimportant things you can do to ensure yourwishes will be carried out, exactly as you want.It’s also the only way to protect the rights ofyour children and loved ones. Despite this, onein three people in Ireland die without making aWill. As a result, the state may lay claim to yourestate. At best, it’s an expensive and legalnightmare for those you leave behind, causingstress and upset at a time when they need itleast.

Making a Will doesn’t have to be hard work orexpensive and the satisfaction you’ll get fromputting your affairs in order will be one ofrelief. Did you know, if you leave a gift to acharity in your Will, this will be tax free? Thismeans that every cent of your money goestowards helping those who need it most.

We recommend that you consult a solicitor todraw up your Will. Keep an eye out for the MyLegacy Week in October/November each yearfor further information on making a Will andon identifying a solicitor in your local area.

Cover PhotoRiya from Patna in northeast India had struggled to see theblackboard in class. Here, in one of the poorest states inthe country, it is a challenge to to access and even toafford eye care services. Thanks to a Sightsavers’ eyescreening program run in her school Ria had her eyestested and was provided with a new pair of glasses tocorrect her vision. She is now continuing her education.


Sevenyearold Animata from Senegal was born blindand growing up she would spend most days simplysitting at home.

Animata now attends a school, supported by Sightsavers, that welcomes and educates children withvision impairment. Going to school now brings purposeand structure to her day.

The promotion of equal opportunity for people withdisabilities is a core part of Sightsavers Vision. We’recommitted to ‘leaving no one behind’ by ensuring thatall our programmes are also available for people withdisabilities.

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Leaving No One Behind

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Why include Sightsavers in your Will?

Making a Will gives you a unique chance toprovide for those causes closest to your heartand make a lasting contribution that willliterally transform the lives of families andwhole communities.

Our vision is of a world where no one is blindfrom avoidable causes and where visuallyimpaired people participate equally in society.If you believe in this vision, please considerleaving a gift to Sightsavers in your Will.

When adults and children are plagued by thedarkness of cataract, dependant on theirfamilies, or suffering from the advanced stagesof trachoma, your legacy could mean that somany more people get the sightsavingtreatment they so urgently need, before it's toolate.

Each year gifts from legacies help us make realprogress in our battle to fight avoidableblindness; progress such as providing onemillion sightrestoring cataract operations bythe end of 2018.

We are also committed to eliminatingtrachoma in countries where we currently workby 2020 and river blindness by 2025. Withyour support many thousands of adults andchildren can have their sight protected andrestored.

Imagine a person’s future beingyour legacy.


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Like every other two year old, Barakashould have been full of life and eagerto explore. Instead, cataract had lefthim almost blind. He struggled to takesteps on his own and rarely playedwith other children. Baraka lived in Mkenge in ruralTanzania with his mother Zena, grandfather and aunties. His mother worried constantly for hisfuture, that he wouldn’t be able to goto school, that he wouldn’t be able tosee properly. When she took him tothe local health centre, the doctorconfirmed her worst fears Barakahad cataracts and, without surgery,he’d be blind for life. Zena wasdistraught, knowing she couldn’tafford the journey to the hospital, letalone the surgery itself.But thanks to our generous supportersSightsavers was able to give Baraka’sfamily the sightsaving operation they

so desperately needed.Accompanied by his mother, Barakawas brought to Muhimbili hospital inTanzania’s capital. Here a straightforward operation removed the cloudylens from each of Baraka’s eyes andinserted new lenses – ones that willlast a lifetime.The next day Baraka’s bandages wereremoved. As he opened his eyes, helooked around the room, first at thedoctor and then Zena. He seemed alittle fearful but, between cries, hecalled out, “I’m seeing you” to hisdelighted mother.

Here are just two examples of the wonderful ways aGift in your Will could make a lasting difference.

A brighter future, thanks to you

A delighted twoyearoldBaraka from Tanzania with his

mother Zena after his successfulcataract operation.

€56 is all it costs to give achild back their sight.There is no better legacy, thanensuring a child’s future isbrighter.

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Because of his cataracts, 69 year oldWinesi was completely blind. His sighthad been getting worse for more than adecade, which meant he had never seenhis grandchildren, and it had been 12years since he had last seen his wife’sface clearly. "I imagine what she lookslike, but I can't remember that well".

When Winesi had his sight, his typicalday used to be full of activity; but beingblind had left him housebound. Losinghis sight had completely knocked hisconfidence and he was always afraid thatsomething bad would happen.

These weren’t his only fears. WithWinesi unable to work, his wifeNamaleta was struggling to support theirfamily and he worried about their future.

A quick cataract operation changedeverything. “Because of my blindness, Iwasn’t able to help my family with the

harvest. Instead, I was sitting aroundhelplessly while they did all the work. Ifelt really sad and sometimes I couldn’thold back my tears. But this year I wasable to help harvesting the crops, whichwas a great relief!

My illness affected every aspect of ourlives. It was like our lives were on hold.Now I am a free man again and can goanywhere by myself. The most importantthing is that I can see my wife, mychildren and my grandchildren. I missedseeing their faces so much”.

Getting life back on track,thanks to you

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Winesi joyfully hugs his wifeNamaleta after an operationhas successfully restoredhis sight.

€36 is all it costs to give an adultback their sight. Imagine yourlegacy could mean a grandparentlike Winesi can see his loved onesagain and he can even help careand provide for his family oncemore.


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1 Arrange to see your solicitor

Your estate is everything you own – your home,contents, shares and insurance – minus any outstanding commitments you may have such as amortgage. This should give you a clear idea of howmuch you would like to leave and to whom.

2 Assess your estate’s value

To ensure your Will is legally valid, we recommendyou always use a solicitor. If you don’t have one,simply phone the Law Society on 01 6724800.

3 Choose what kind of legacy you’d like to leave

We recommend that you discuss with your solicitorwhich type of gift you wish to leave in your Will;Residual legacy is the safest way to ensure your giftretains its value.

4 Prepare the paperwork

If you are writing your Will for the first time anddecide to leave us a legacy, you will need to make anote of our exact details, including our full name,address and charity number in your Will. These are:

SightsaversFirst Floor, Spencer House,Spencer Row, Dublin 1.

Registered charity number CHY 15437

If you already have a will and would like to add a giftto Sightsavers, simply complete the codicil documenton page 11 of this guide.

5 Return the enclosed pledge invitation

Knowing your intentions enables us to plan for thefuture. It also allows us to say ‘Thank You’ withinyour lifetime.

Eight simple steps is all it takes to leave a gift in your Will that will mean a little child likeBaraka will get the treatment they need in time to ensure they do not live in darkness.

8 simple steps to leaving a legacy to Sightsavers


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6 Choose your executor

If you are writing a new Will, you will need tochoose someone to be your executor. Their job isto carry out your wishes after you have passedaway. The task may be timeconsuming, so it’sbest to consult them first. It’s also worth notingthat for this reason most people name twoexecutors.

7 List any questions

Sightsavers is on hand to answer your questionsin the strictest confidence. Please feel free to callus on 01 663 7666.

8 Visit your solicitor

Your solicitor will discuss the specific detail ofyour Will with you. Once you are happy all youneed do is sign and date your new Will or codicilbefore two independent witnesses, who mustalso sign the document.

Thank you. Your legacy could reallychange lives for the better in some of

the world’s poorest countries.

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Twoyearold Bakir Rashid, whosuffers from congenital cataracts, plays

with his father, just beforeundergoing a sight restoring

operation supported by Sightsavers.


Your Estate checklistTake this simple checklist with you to your solicitor when making yourWill, it’ll help you answer all their questions.

PropertyHome

Holiday home

Jewellery

Car

Home contents (e.g. furniture)

Antiques

Other items of value

€

€

€

€

€

€

€

List your major assets and their approximate value Financial Commitments€€€€€€

NameAddress

Date of LoanAmount Outstanding €

Bank/Building Society accounts

Stocks, Shares, Investments etc.

National Savings

Pension / Benefits

Life Assurance

Business Assets

Any other Financial Interests

€

€

€

€

€

€

€

NameAddress

NameAddress

Financial

Mortgage OutstandingLoansOverdraftHire Purchase AgreementsCredit Card LoansOther Loans

Money You Are Owed

Name and Addresses of Executors

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Your Codicil for a Bequest to SightsaversTo add a bequest to Sightsavers in your existing Will, simply fill out this legal document. Make sure that you sign it before two witnesses,neither of whom stand to benefit from either your Will or from this codicil. Once completed, you may wish to forward this document toyour solicitor for checking. It should then be kept in a safe place, together with your Will.Thank you for your kindness. Your gift of sight will be valued for many years to come.

in addition to the provisions of my said Will give to:Sightsavers, First Floor, Spencer House, Spencer Row, Dublin 1.Registered charity number CHY 15437 the sum of:

for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt ofthe Treasurer for the time being or other duly authorised officershall be a sufficient discharge to my executors/trustees. In allother respects I confirm my said Will.

By the first (appropriate number of Codocil)

to my Will Dated

I (Full name)

of (address)

For You to Complete For Your Witnesses to Complete

1st WitnessAddress

Occupation

Signed by the alongside in our joint presenceand then by us in his/her’s.

Residential Legacy

Pecuniary Legacy

Specific Legacy (item)

%

€

Signed Date

Signed

1st WitnessAddress

Occupation

Signed

1 It is important to state which codicil this is, eg first, second, third etc.

2 A percentage of your estate left after all specific gifts, debts, fees,taxes and other expenses have been paid.

3 In front of witnesses.

1

2

3

3

3

Date

Date


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First FloorSpencer HouseSpencer RowDublin 1

Tel: 01 663 7666

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sightsavers.ie

Donations: 1850 60 20 20

For more information or if you have any queriesplease do not hesitate to call Elaine on 01 663 7666or email [email protected]

www.sightsavers.ie/legacies Registered Charity Number CHY 15437


imagine a person’s future being your legacy€¦ · a delighted twoyearold baraka from tanzania...

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