A legacy of love, a future of hope
- Lauren Billington-Drew
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
To celebrate Free Wills Month, I thought I would write my own Will - after all, how can I ask others to do something I haven’t done myself? The process was quick, straightforward and best of all, free!
Whilst I hope that this won’t be used for quite some time, it gives me peace of mind knowing that everything is in order, and my wishes are clear for those left behind. Upon writing my Will, I reflected on the things that matter most, my family, friends, but also the world I would like to leave behind. Where could my legacy reach? Could the end of my chapter bring a beginning to someone else?
In this blog post I will explore the importance of leaving a gift in your Will, and discuss how we can create a brighter future for generations to come.
The importance of having a Will
A Will ensures that your wishes are fulfilled. Whether that’s details you want in your funeral, or things you hope for your loved ones to do. It also makes sure that your family and friends are cared for, offering them financial security for the long term and providing stability.
Throughout your life, you have the power to make a positive difference. By leaving a gift, you can ensure that the causes you care about continue to be supported after you are gone.
Why leave a gift to Kids Club Kampala in your Will?
East Africa is one of the poorest regions in the world, with almost half of the total population living in extreme poverty. Millions of children are vulnerable to harm, abuse, and abandonment.
Our projects work with the communities they support to integrate solutions that last. We’re not just there for the short term. Together with the help of supporters like you, we are helping children and families move from surviving to truly thriving. By leaving a gift in your Will, your legacy can unlock opportunities for people like Gloria* …
Gloria was a stay-at-home mother depending on her children for support. When her daughter lost her job, Gloria often went hungry and struggled to survive. After hearing about the Tailoring Project from a local leader, she enrolled for a four-month course. Although she was a slow learner at first, Gloria completed the course successfully. By 2024, with the sewing machine she received from KCK, Gloria started working from home - sewing and mending clothes for her community. Now, she is financially independent and able to pay her grandchild’s school fees and cover her own living costs without relying on her daughter.
“The Tailoring Project has changed my life, and I’m forever grateful to Kids Club Kampala” - Gloria
*Name has been changed
Different types of gifts
By choosing to leave a gift in your Will, you can be the catalyst of change for a family like Gloria’s. Here are some of the most common ways you can leave a gift:
A share of your estate: This can be a percentage of what is left over once loved ones are provided for, called a residuary gift, or it can be any percentage you like. As this gift is a proportion of your estate, it keeps pace with inflation.
A fixed sum of money: This is a specific amount, also known as a pecuniary gift. You can choose any amount you like but it’s worth reviewing periodically as it may lose value over time due to inflation.
A specific item: You can also choose to leave a particular item, such as a piece of jewellery, an antique or even a property. A gift like this should be named in your Will.
Where to start
At Kids Club Kampala, we offer a free Will writing service to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. The process is very simple and you can edit your Will at any time.
We are so pleased to offer this service completely free of charge, and hope that through creating your Will, you are able to feel secure and reassured of what the future might look like after you are gone.
To celebrate Free Wills Month we are asking you to consider leaving a gift to Kids Club Kampala. No matter the size, every single gift has a huge impact on children and families across East Africa.
If you have any questions about the process, I would love to help. Please get in touch at fundraising@kidsclubkampala.org to find out more. Thank you.
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