Dignity Statement
Calcutta Mercy believes that every life matters and is important to God. The Bible teaches that every person is created in the image of God and for God’s honor and purpose. This belief calls us to our mandate to feed, educate, and medically assist the deserving of India. We are committed to the dignity, intrinsic value, and worth of every person. We do not accept the notion that anyone is superior to another or entitled to extra rights or privileges. We often encounter persons who have been taught that they are not worthy of dignity and have been treated unfairly or mistreated. By helping to feed, educate and medically assist, Calcutta Mercy can help individuals to experience God’s care for them.
In our journey to honor every individual, Calcutta Mercy is committed to ten essential elements of dignity*:
Acceptance of Identity – We choose to accept individuals as neither inferior or superior to us. We assume everyone has integrity regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc.
An atmosphere of inclusion – We choose to make people feel they belong.
Safety – We strive to make people comfortable physically and psychologically.
Fully present – We want to give people our full attention by listening and hearing and validating their experiences.
Recognition – We want to validate the efforts of others including work, talents, and thoughtfulness. We choose to be generous in our praise and appreciation.
Fairness – We will treat people justly and fairly.
Benefit of the doubt – We will treat people as trustworthy. We will begin with the understanding that people are acting with integrity.
Understanding – We will listen to the thoughts and perspectives of others as active listeners.
Independence – We will allow people to act on their own behalf as agents of hope and possibilities. We will use our power and influence to empower and lift-up; not disempower or put down.
Accountability – We will take responsibility for our own actions. When we have violated the dignity of another (whether intentionally or unintentionally) we will ask forgiveness to those whom we have wronged and change our behaviors.
*Hicks, D. (2018). A Matter of Gignity: Building human relationships. Dignity Matters, 1–21.