When the Norwegian Nansen Relief organization for refugees and stateless persons was looking for families to host refugee children from Slovakia, Agnes and Arne Normann from Laksevåg signed up. The couple, who had no children, took nine-year-old Edgar Brichta into their home in October 1939. Agnes did not work; she took care of the boy, who soon learned Norwegian at the local school and made friends through the Boy Scouts.
After Norway’s occupation by German troops, Arne Normann joined the fascist party. The Nansen Relief organization then asked Agnes Normann for a meeting. She assured the committee that Arne’s party membership would not have negative repercussions for Edgar.
Life was becoming increasingly dangerous for Jews in Norway, and the couple considered taking Edgar to safety in Sweden. They kept him in their home, however, even when Arne became the local mayor. Not until the end of 1942 did Edgar move to new quarters, at his own request.