Ella Nielsen

I was initially drawn to this project because of the opportunity to work with archives. As an aspiring librarian, I jumped at the chance to explore primary documents. What I found while exploring the archives of The Hong Kierkegaard Library, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and the Northfield Historical Center was countless documents showcasing the care and generosity of those involved with the LWF. People, from those who worked directly with the LWF to those who donated or provided assurances, gave time, money, resources, and spiritual guidance to help those whom they had never met and who lived across the globe from them. I also saw Displaced Persons describe their experiences in their own words.

As someone who was unfamiliar with the history of displacement after WWII, some of my initial research questions were:

• Why is the history of the work done by the LWF important to preserve?
• What is significant about their efforts to provide aid?

The process of reading the accounts from Displaced Persons and writing a page on DP Lived Experiences in the camps revealed to me the dire conditions they were living under. Torn from their homes, DPs had to rebuild their lives while facing the uncertainties of resettlement. By diving into the lived experiences of DPs, I gained a deep understanding of the significance of LWF’s work in making life in DP camps sustainable and ensuring these people’s futures through resettlement. The preservation of this history serves as a lamppost lest we ever forget the importance of aiding our fellow human. Because of the work of the LWF, families were able to rebuild their lives and prosper for generations.