When we uphold each other’s dignity, we help build the kingdom Jesus envisioned, with hope and healing.
Lena Sømme, Country Director, ADRA Norway
With the sun blazing on the tin roof, I heard her tell about how she fled for her life. In the refugee settlement she came to, she saw no other options than to sell her body. The woman in front of me spoke about how life had been a couple of years ago when she had to take the road from South Sudan across the border to Uganda. On the way, she lost both safety and faith in her own worth.
This was the first trip I took as the new Secretary General for ADRA Norway earlier this year. What I saw and heard in Uganda – the red soil, the smell of rain-wet clay and the sound of birds as the sun set – was familiar from several previous visits. I also recognized her gaze and her story.
For what is a human worth? In Norway, the state spends approximately USD 35,000 per inhabitant during a year. In contrast to this, the corresponding amount in Uganda is approximately USD 1,350, and in South Sudan about USD 50.
What does God say we’re worth? The Bible says that all people are created in God’s image, that we belong to the same fellowship in Christ and that God has even counted every hair on our heads. Our value is not determined by what we experience, our prosperity or what we do. Each individual is infinitely valuable simply by virtue of existing. In a deeply unjust world, this gives me hope.
The conviction about inherent dignity forms the foundation for what we do in ADRA. As the Adventist Church’s organization for development and relief, we support every person’s right to reach their potential and live a life in dignity. ADRA is a tool for healing broken relationships and restoring people’s dignity in harmony with the creator and creation.
While we build on these biblical principles, we place great emphasis on professionalism and measurable results in everything we do. ADRA is part of our common mission in the Adventist Church. As a church, we’re called to spread good news and convey hope based on God’s love and Jesus’ second coming. By living the principles of God’s kingdom here and now we create glimpses of what’s to come. Part of this includes integrating human dignity into the relationships we have and the society we contribute to.
This is an inspiring vision, but what does it mean in practice? The injustice faced in the refugee settlement mirrors a global truth: our ability to see each other’s humanity is breaking down. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report identifies polarization as a key risk for 2025, underscoring how unsafe it has become to voice disagreement. You may be weary of political arguments. Or maybe you think the most important issues haven’t been debated enough. Regardless, I’m grateful for those who dare to engage in public debates. We should celebrate those who courageously disagree and those who ensure it’s safe to hold different views. This represents a practical application of integrating God’s human dignity into our relationships, requiring not universal agreement but respect for everyone’s inherent value and space for all perspectives. A world that accommodates disagreement is safer for everyone. While it’s natural to show compassion for those similar to us, justice and love challenge us to include everyone in fellowship—especially those with different viewpoints.
Under the tin roof in Uganda, I also heard the woman talk about a new life. About meeting people who believed in her. Through ADRA’s support, she got practical help to learn how she could cultivate the soil together with local farmers and get an income through the harvest. She also got encouragement that strengthened her self-worth. It reminded me in glimpses of the woman at the well, whose life was transformed because she felt truly seen. She found her way back to her own worth. This is the hope we convey in ADRA and our way of contributing to getting closer to the kingdom of heaven.
At the same time, there was a girl standing outside the open door. She had a child on her back and stood some distance away. I recognized her gaze and could sense what story she carried. Many girls in this refugee settlement drop out of school and have children even though they are far down in their teens. A study from 2024 showed that 1 in 3 girls between 15 and 19 years old in refugee settlements in northern Uganda have been pregnant.
We still have a job to do – together. Restoring hope is a joint task. We are all part of the same fellowship, where the relationships we build shape the world we are part of. We build on the foundation others have laid before us and get support from a caring and faithful God. Therefore, I encourage you to engage in your local community, pray for refugees, donate to ADRA or participate in volunteer work.
When we uphold each other’s dignity, we help build the kingdom Jesus envisioned, with hope and healing.
Photo Lena Olsen Somme: Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
Photo headerpicture: ADRA | Frank Spangler