Giving to the right place

Gordon Lambert has been sponsoring children through World Vision Australia since he returned from working in developing countries like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. While he enjoyed his work in the field, the grinding poverty in these developing countries disturbed him.

“It amazes me that in these times, there are still millions of people living in poverty. It really bothered me to see the kids suffering in particular,” says the retiree.

Gordon chose to make a difference by sponsoring children through World Vision Australia because he liked the idea of helping children through education. He also appreciates the transparency and regular updates on the progress made and impact created in the community by supporters like him.

“I want World Vision to do even more great work through a bequest in my Will,” says Gordon.

Gift of a lifetime

Dianne Roennfeldt had always been interested in helping vulnerable children and since her three boys had grown up, she decided to sponsor children in developing countries through World Vision.

“What I like about World Vision is that you are helping a child up a ladder through education … but it goes deeper – you also help the village where they live,” says Dianne. She loves to hear about children who become teachers and doctors: “It’s a testament that World Vision’s programs work.”

Dianne has sponsored children from Zambia, Guatemala and Kenya, and has decided to continue making a difference in the lives of tomorrow’s children by leaving a Gift in Will to World Vision Australia.

Leaving a gift in her Will means Dianne can help World Vision to “continue their good work helping children and communities long after we are gone”, she says.

A journey leading to a legacy

Andrew Stephenson started his journey with World Vision Australia in 2009 when he chose to start sponsoring a child in Ethiopia. Supporting World Vision has been an opportunity for Andrew to do something meaningful from a comfortable position for people who are less well-off.

He’s seen his sponsored child’s life transform through letters and photos – and witnessed him develop from a young vulnerable child to an aspiring doctor with opportunities to thrive. Andrew feels a deep concern for the vulnerability of children in the communities where World Vision works; particularly for the women and girls who walk long distances to collect dirty water to survive.

Knowing that World Vision addresses these circumstances is what motivated him to give a generous gift in his Will.

Finding a way to give back

Tonya Hooper might be a pensioner, but she still finds room in her budget to give back to charity every month. She’s a three-time survivor of breast cancer and wants to share her good fortune with other people. She says she’s lucky to be alive.

Tonya has supported World Vision Australia for the last 30 years, sponsoring seven children from Uganda, three from Kenya, two from Ethiopia and one from Egypt, and made extra donations for other campaigns in need of assistance. To help World Vision continue their work, she’s decided to leave a gift in her Will so that she can assist long after she’s gone.

“A bequest can make an enormous difference, no matter how big or small. Charities need as much help as they can get to carry on their work. Even people on a budget like me can do it,” she says. 

Helping the most vulnerable children

Angie Williams hasn’t been so lucky, recovering from the loss of her 300-acre cattle and organic garlic farm which was devastated by flood waters in 2015. Despite this misfortune, she still believes that “there are always people who are going to be worse off, like children living in poverty overseas”.

Her gratitude inspires her to continue helping the world’s most vulnerable children. She’s been a sponsor through World Vision for more than 30 years and currently supports three children from Cambodia, India and Zimbabwe. She shares a special connection with one of the children’s mothers who is also a farmer.

“She’s a widow like me and I can certainly relate to the challenges she undergoes as a farmer,” Angie says. After a lifetime of powerful generosity, Angie says she wants to continue supporting World Vision’s work by leaving a gift in her Will. “Why not leave a bequest to a cause I care about? It just makes sense to me,” she says.