CHILDREN TO THE FORE! - SAfAIDS

Divide the participants into two groups for separate discussions as follows:Group 1: Write a different end to Peter's story by writing his Will.They must include the seven childrenand give realistic accounts of his properties.Group 2: Discuss Joyce's story and write a different end to it, showing Joyce helping her sister andbrother-in-law,before their death,to write a Will to protect their children's property.The group will writeherWill.Note: a template for a simple Will is given in Appendix 2, with important notes.Each group then reads out its Will, following which the whole group discusses the topic.Important points to remember when writing a Will:•••••••a person must be over 16 years of agethe writer must sign the Will in front of two witnessesthe signature must be put close to the last wordsevery page of the Will must be signedwitnesses must also sign each page of the Willwitnesses should not be beneficiariesa person who cannot write can have the Will written for him/her but it should then be certifiedby a magistrate or commissioner of oaths• the Will can be written in any language• any dependants who were under the maintenance of the deceased should benefit from theWill.Contents of aWill:•••••full name ofWill writer and the date when it was writtenname of beneficiaries in the Will with ID numbers or birth certificate numbers and their dates ofbirth,plus a description of property to be given to each personname of the executorit is important that people write responsible Wills. A Will should not be used to disinherit peoplewho are dependants in terms of the lawthe Will should also contain the appointment of a guardian, should the writer still have minorchildren at the time of death.Group sharing: Discuss the following with the group:Source: M. Mawire, Just for Children, 2008When children look after sick parents, they also need increasing care and support as their parentsbecome more ill and eventually die. This can enable parents to live longer and prepare for death andsuccession,which is an important aspect of children's rights,so bring into the discussion the following:••••Parenting is continuous,and children have the right to communicate.Inheritance for children can be assured through the family and traditional courts.Will writing is important and if there is no Will, community heads must ensure that children aregiven their parents' inheritance.Plan for the future through investments,e.g.in livestock.24Handbook on Child Rights and Culture