Through a traveling photo exhibition, the Finnish Refugee Council, Uganda reflects on 60 years of restoring dignity and hope among displaced communities.
At the FRC office in Adjumani, a group of visitors stood quietly before a photograph of a man fondly holding a weighing scale with a wide smile. The object, simple as it was, told a story of loss, courage, and beginning again. It was one of many powerful images displayed during the Finnish Refugee Council’s (FRC) photo exhibition launched on September 30th to mark 60 years of the organization’s work.
The exhibition gives voice to stories often left untold, refugees rebuilding their lives with quiet resilience and hope. Through familiar objects, the photographs reveal what words sometimes cannot: the strength it takes to start over.
FRC’s own story began in 1965 with Helvi Sipilä, a Finnish parliamentarian and the first woman to serve as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Deeply moved by the plight of displaced people, she set out to rally compassion and action for those forced to flee their homes. Six decades later, her vision endures through FRC’s work in Finland, Ethiopia, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Uganda where, for 28 years, FRC has helped refugees gain literacy, livelihoods, and dignity.
The launch brought together FRC’s long-time partners, including UNHCR, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), refugee-led organizations, and community representatives. Reflecting on the event, Dereje Mekurizze, a UNHCR representative noted, “Peaceful co-existence is important, especially today when resources are increasingly scarce. FRC’s work in adult literacy and livelihoods remains critical to building self-reliance among refugees.”
The exhibition later moved to Ayilo Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda, where community leaders and beneficiaries gathered to see their stories come to life. A Uganda Police representative remarked, “There is peaceful co-existence between refugees and the host community because of FRC’s social cohesion work.”
Among the attendees was Margaret Masudio, a long-time partner and beneficiary of FRC’s programs.
“My mother was an instructor for FRC,” she shared. “She wasn’t highly educated, but the opportunity she got changed our lives. The small savings she made from her work helped me stay in school. Today, I’m proud to stand here as both a beneficiary and a partner of FRC’s work.”
The exhibition also reflects what has guided FRC’s mission for six decades, the belief that every person, regardless of circumstance, deserves the chance to rebuild their life with dignity.
As FRC celebrates 60 years, we invite friends, partners, and supporters to continue walking this journey with us, transforming stories of displacement into stories of hope and self-reliance.
Visit the digital exhibition on our website.