1. Rabiul’s story

2. I’d like you to close your eyes and imagine a river
I’d like you to close your eyes and imagine a river. Maybe it’s a river near here. Maybe it’s a river you saw on a holiday you’ve been on.
Imagine you’re sat on the bank listening to the river. What might you hear – the sound of the water; the sound of the birds in the trees nearby. Imagine slipping off your shoes and socks and dipping your feet in the water. What might you feel – maybe the wet feeling of the river swirling along; a smooth stone under the surface; maybe a slippery fish swimming past.

3. Now I’d like you to open your eyes.
This is Rabiul.

4. He and his family live in Bangladesh
He and his family live in Bangladesh. Their family home is next to a river. But it is on the other side of the river to the village.

5. Rabiul likes playing in the river.

6. He sometimes helps out around the home
He sometimes helps out around the home. He sweeps the floors and washes the dishes.

7. Rabiul likes school and likes reading books
Rabiul likes school and likes reading books. When he finishes school, he wants to be a policeman. He has to cross the river to get to school. Do you think it would be always be fun to paddle to school?
Paddling the boat on his own can be hard for Rabiul.

9. Rabiul and his family rely on fish in the river for food.
Rabiul’s mum, Mahinur, goes fishing in the river with her net.
But last year there was a drought caused by climate change. The river dried up.

10. there’s no reason to smile.
When there are no fish,
there’s no reason to smile.
The water has returned now. There should be fish in the river. It’s the right times of year.
This year, she hasn’t caught any fish yet.

11. No one should go hungry. No one should call this dinner.
No one should call this dinner. No one should go hungry.

13. Did you know?
However much you save and collect can help. Did you know just £1 buys a young tree that can provide fruit like guava and coconut? £8 buys rice seeds that Rabiul’s family can use. £26 buys 10 ducks. £167 can build a pond for the family to breed fish.

14. Let us pray… Loving God, We think of our neighbours around the world
who live in poverty.
May our gifts, prayers and actions this Lent support them as they work to improve
the lives of their communities.
Together, may we build a better world
where everyone has the basic things in life,
like food and clean water.
Amen

15. Rabiul’s story