We are all very familiar with the pictures on our TV screens of desperate Syrian refugees risking their lives to get to Europe where they believe they will have a better chance of survival; or families in Ethiopia starving because the harvest has failed yet again; or the people of Bangladesh losing everything when their homes are flooded. I could go on. There are so many parts of the world where survival is precarious.

We often feel helpless in the face of so much suffering. However, poverty is not a natural and inevitable state of affairs. Millions of people around the world are united in the shared belief that we can make a difference. Positive change is possible. Christian Aid and its partners and supporters are part of that change.

Look at what Christian Aid has done in just the past year.

• Came together in tens of thousands to demand urgent action on climate change.

• Played a key role in bringing about legislation that makes it harder for big corporations to avoid paying tax.

• Helped hundreds of thousands of people to get access to better services.

• Prepared for extreme weather conditions and disasters;

• Tackled discrimination against women and marginalized groups;

• Striven to make markets work for poor communities so they can become self sufficient.

Christian Aid week runs from 12th to 18th May 2019

You can support it by volunteering to help with the house to house collection on Eaton Rise (contact me if you can help collect) and putting your financial contribution in the communion offering/cause for the month box.

visit the Christian aid website here www.christianaid.org.uk