TALES of the desperately precarious life of islanders in the rivers of Bangladesh will be brought to life when a Christian Aid worker visits Bridport on Wednesday (February 10).

Rezwana Islam, a project officer from the world’s most densely populated country, will share her stories of families on the edge of survival in a talk at 11.30am following the Ash Wednesday service at Bridport United Church, East Street.

In her first visit to Dorset Rezwana will explain how the effects of climate change are part of daily life in Bangladesh and how thousands of river islanders fear their crops, their homes and even their children might be swept away in the next flood.

Rezwana is speaking at a total of 11 events across the south west from Gloucestershire to Guernsey highlighting projects that will feature in this year’s Christian Aid Week in May.

Last year Christian Aid supporters across Bridport raised almost £5,702 during Christian Aid Week through events and door to door collections.

Rezwana will share the story of young mother of four, Morsheda, who lives in daily fear of the destructive powers of the Brahmaputra river which brings dangerous snakes into her home and threatens to destroy everything.

But she will also tell supporters how safety for families like Morsheda’s is just six feet away as Christian Aid partners build earth plinths six feet high for homes and provide seeds and livestock to replace fear with relative security.

Rezwana said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to visit Bridport and share with supporters the reality of the incredible difference their fundraising is making.

“The communities our partners work with are extremely poor and marginalised, with no protection. They are climate victims and they have no choice but to face natural calamities, sometimes at the cost of their lives.

“Dedicated supporters in Bridport and across the UK start a relay race when they raise funds and pass the baton to us in Bangladesh which we pass to our valuable partners and in the last lap they pass it to the beneficiaries.

“I feel that, through this race we all are connected, and share a common spirit of helping the poor and changing lives.”

Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Dorset, Stephen Dominy, said: “Everyone is welcome to come and hear Rezwana speak.

“It is always a privilege to hear stories of how individual lives have been transformed and it will be a perfect way to help us prepare for Christian Aid Week when hundreds of supporters across Bridport and Dorset will take part in door-to-door collections and fundraising events.

“We might not be able to do much about the snakes, but together we can help create the ladders. Do join us!”

For further details of how to get involved with Christian Aid Week 2016 visit caweek.org/.