YATE and Thornbury will welcome a special visitor responsible for projects encouraging resilient livelihoods in Ethiopia.

Tekalign Kebede will visit the towns, during his first trip to the region, on Saturday, March 14 at a coffee morning to talk to visitors about the organisation Christian Aid and its work in South West Ethopia.

Emma Nutbrown, a Christian Aid media co-ordinator, said: “He is going to talk about how South Gloucestershire’s supporters are helping to change the lives of people in the very poorest communities in rural Ethiopia and will give evidence from projects which will feature in the Christian Aid Week materials this spring which will run from May 10 to May 16.

“The events are designed to offer encouragement to all those supporters who go door-to-door collecting during Christian Aid Week and who arrange local events as well as for those who would like to hear first hand about the work Christian Aid does to tackle poverty.”

Mr Kebede will speak at 17 events in just under two weeks from Cornwall to Hampshire and Gloucestershire to Guernsey.

He said: “Projects funded by Christian Aid help transform communities so that its members are no longer trapped in poverty but can live instead of simply surviving.

“I am delighted to be given this opportunity to visit South Gloucestershire and share with supporters the reality of the incredible difference their fundraising is making.”

Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Bristol and South Gloucestershire Lydia Nash said: “Tekalign’s visit will bring home to us how we need not feel either remote or powerless here in South Gloucestershire, but by contrast how our support is helping communities becoming more resilient and is transforming lives.

“Everyone is welcome to come and hear Tekalign speak and enjoy refreshments together. It is a perfect way to help us prepare for Christian Aid Week when hundreds of supporters across the area will take part in door-to-door collections or fundraising events.”

The events will run in St Mary's Church, on Church Road in Yate from 10am to 12pm and everyone is welcome to attend where refreshments will be available.

Mr Kebede will also be visiting the Methodist Church, High Street in Thornbury later in the day between 2pm and 4pm.

For further details of the talks email Bristol@christian-aid.org or visit www.christianaid.org.uk.