One Family’s Journey to Calling Lebanon Home

Dipak Niroula is an award-winning social entrepreneur, published author, and an active community volunteer whose journey from his home country of Nepal to Lebanon, NH is an inspiring and compelling story.

Growing up in an impoverished Nepalese village as the eldest of six children, Dipak had to walk four hours both ways to get to elementary school. After his father led a community effort to build a school in their village, all of the local children then had the opportunity to receive an education, subsequently lifting them out of poverty through education. Dipak was the first in his family and community to graduate from high school, and these early life experiences inspired him to commit to a lifetime of helping other vulnerable children and families, particularly in the rural areas of Nepal.

Dashain Celebration with Dartmouth Students and parents (2023)

In 2011, while still living in Nepal, Dipak and his wife, Sharmila Karki, co-founded Better Life Social Organization (BLSO Nepal) to realize their dream of making a difference in people’s lives, especially for children. The active non-profit offers a diverse array of services to fund its work, including education consulting, travel tours, and homestays. Despite a few setbacks along the way, today, BLSO Nepal helps nearly 200 children in rural Nepal, providing education, healthcare, school uniforms, snacks, stationery, books, and clean drinking water. Dipak is pleased with the work BLSO Nepal is doing. “One thing I’m particularly proud of is how BLSO Nepal has responded to emergencies. During the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, we rallied hundreds of volunteers to provide critical support. We worked side by side with local residents, government officials, schoolteachers, and social activists. Even with limited resources, our team showed incredible resilience and dedication.” Dipak has been recognized with awards by several international organizations including Lions Club International, Tumbewa Municipal Offices in Nepal, and the National Cultural Heritage Development Society.

Dipak Niroula (right) volunteering with the Rotary
Club of Lebanon to clean up the Mascoma River.

It was during a family vacation to the U.S. in 2015, the same year as the Nepal earthquake, that Dipak and his family received some shocking news. Dipak explains, “We faced a life-altering event. The devastating earthquake that struck Nepal while we were here resulted in the complete loss of my travel company, education consultancy, homestay, and children’s organization. Our home in Nepal was also severely damaged.” Fortunately, the U.S. government granted the family Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the Niroulas began rebuilding their lives and establishing community connections in Lebanon. “My family and I have adjusted remarkably well to life here in Lebanon. The scenic beauty of the New Hampshire landscape, with its rolling hills and lush forests, evokes memories of our homeland, and has made our transition much smoother.”

Dipak and his family pivoted and became active members of the Lebanon community, continuing their passion for lifting up those in need by developing personal and professional relationships in the Upper Valley, and rebuilding BLSO Nepal remotely. “It’s been so heartwarming to see our kids thriving in the Lebanon schools, even being recognized as exemplary students.” The  Niroulas are grateful for the warm neighborhood welcome they’ve received, as well as the peaceful and safe environment in Lebanon. “We’ve found a perfect balance here – a community that allows us to maintain connections to our Nepali culture while fully participating in American life,” Dipak adds. “The supportive environment, combined with the diverse opportunities available, has not only eased our adjustment but has also opened new horizons for our family’s future.”

Over their time here, the Niroulas have come to appreciate the diverse nature of the Upper Valley and the broader American landscape, and are now working on becoming permanent residents of the U.S. by obtaining a green card. “My long-term goal in pursuing a U.S. green card is to achieve stability and make a significant contribution to the community. I also want to pursue career advancements and educational opportunities that are currently limited due to my temporary status,” Dipak explains.

Dipak Niroula enjoying a moment with a dog brought by visitors to Cardigan Mountain (2024)

In Lebanon as well as in southern New Hampshire, there are thriving Nepali communities that help the Niroulas stay connected to their Nepali culture while becoming fully immersed in a new American community. “We’ve gotten involved with groups like the NH Nepali Community, the International Nepalese Literature Society, and the NH Center for Nonprofits. Having friends who share our cultural background has provided a sense of belonging while also allowing us to introduce our American neighbors to our rich heritage,” says Dipak. The Niroulas join with their friends to cook traditional Nepali dishes, organize sports events, and annually host a local  Dashain (15 day Nepali cultural and religious celebration) for Dartmouth students and area Nepalese families. “This celebration creates a nurturing and supportive environment, helping us all feel cherished and connected to our cultural heritage during this profoundly meaningful festival,” Dipak says.

Traditional Nepali food and fun include momo (dumplings) and dal bhat (lentil soup with rice), traditional music and dance with instruments like the madal (drum), and intricate art like thangka paintings. According to Dipak, a celebration of faith, including Hinduism and Buddhism, is central to the Dashain. “By blending Nepali and American traditions, we strengthen our community and create meaningful connections. Celebrating and sharing these experiences with everyone is incredibly rewarding,” he says.

One of the local organizations Sharmila and Dipak have become involved with is the Rotary Club of Lebanon, participating in events like the Mascoma River clean-up and distributing books and school supplies to elementary school students. “It was wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces. It really drove home how important community support is for education,” recalls Dipak. Marilyn Bedell, former president and current secretary of the Rotary Club of Lebanon, is enthusiastic about the Niroulas’ participation, particularly from an international diversity perspective. “Both Dipak and Sharmila have demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities in Nepal, and have collaborated on various projects involving disease prevention and treatment,” she says. “Having Dipak and Sharmila involved has educated us about their home country and its traditions and the challenges that have faced Nepal since the earthquake.” Dipak highlights one memorable project that involved providing 200 families with water filters: “It was amazing to see how such a simple thing could make such a big difference in people’s lives. Clean water is something many of us take for granted, but for these families, it was life-changing,” he recalls. For their part, Dipak and Sharmila are grateful for their Rotary Club connections as well. “It honestly feels like family. They’ve been so supportive, not just of our projects, but of us personally,” they say. “Our daughter, Aavarika, has grown up with the club, and it warms my heart to see how much everyone cares for her.”

Helping young people in Nepal find safe opportunities for work and travel is another one of Dipak’s passions. Seeing the struggles of young people when they traveled to other countries not knowing the culture or language, Dipak set about writing two guides that have been widely distributed by the government of Nepal and other organizations. “My books cover everything from language basics to cultural tips, safety information, and advice on managing money abroad,” Dipak explains. “I also wanted to warn people about the risks of human trafficking and give them practical ways to stay safe.” The books helped design Nepal’s mandatory pre-departure orientation program for migrant workers, and the Ministry of Labor presented Dipak with an appreciation certificate for his work. “Writing these books and seeing how they’ve helped people has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s amazing to think that something I wrote at my desk in Nepal has gone on to help so many of my fellow Nepalis as they set out to work abroad.”

The Niroula family before coming to the U.S.A.

As to what’s ahead for Dipak and his family, the priority is achieving green card status to open up opportunities for education, federal aid, and business development. There are constraints on realizing the full potential of developing BLSO USA, but giving up is not in Dipak’s nature. “With a green card, I could dedicate more time to developing local programs without the constant worry about visa restrictions, and build stronger, long-term relationships with community partners and donors. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities,” he says. “We’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference this kind of work can make, and we’re really looking forward to bringing that same spirit of support and advocacy to our new home here in the U.S.”

Dipak’s enduring mission of helping others has shaped his life philosophy as well as his life’s work. “These projects have taught me so much about the power of community and working together. Whether it’s cleaning up a local river or helping families across the world, it’s all about making a difference, one step at a time,” he says. “I want the readers of the Lebanon Times to know that helping yourself, your family, and your community can make a huge difference. By caring for others and supporting those in need, we create positive change that extends beyond our own lives.”

For more information or to volunteer with BLSO, contact Dipak Niroula at niroulainfo@gmail.com.