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Founder & Director
Founder & Director
Mr. Lila K. Chamlagai, MPH, is a committed public health scholar and advocate whose work focuses on refugee mental health, health equity, and culturally responsive interventions. Born and raised in a Bhutanese refugee camp in eastern Nepal, Lila brings lived refugee experience into every aspect of his work and advocacy.
At the age of 16, Lila and his family resettled in Springfield, Massachusetts in 2011. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, he pursued higher education with a mission to bridge mental health service gaps for historically marginalized and underserved communities.
Lila holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is currently a PhD candidate in Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health. His doctoral research investigates the impact of adversity on mental health outcomes among refugee populations, with an emphasis on cognitive and social psychological frameworks. His work aims to develop culturally and contextually appropriate strategies for suicide prevention and mental health promotion.
His professional background includes extensive experience in community-based research and global public health engagement. Lila serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Research Program on Children and Adversity (RPCA) at Boston College, contributing to culturally grounded, family-strengthening interventions for resettled refugees. His scholarly contributions appear in peer-reviewed journals such as the International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care and Global Health: Science and Practice, covering topics including mental health disparities, trauma resilience, psychosocial support, and girls’ education in conflict-affected regions.
In addition to his academic work, Lila is a certified Reiki Master and Yoga Instructor, integrating holistic healing approaches into his public health practice. His advocacy includes mentoring emerging scholars, speaking at international conferences on refugee and immigrant mental health, and collaborating with nonprofit, academic, and governmental organizations to implement evidence-based, cognitively informed programs.
Lila’s mission is to advance interdisciplinary research, build strong community partnerships, and influence policy to reduce global mental health disparities. His work is rooted in the principles of social justice, cultural humility, and innovation in global public health practice.
Helping Hands: Health and Human Services, Nepal was born from my lived experience as a refugee—shaped by loss, resilience, and the absence of basic healthcare.
Growing up in the Bhutanese refugee camps of Eastern Nepal, I witnessed how deeply the lack of care impacts lives. This organization is a promise—that even the most marginalized deserve dignity, healing, and hope.
With a team of professionals, researchers, and volunteers, we turn pain into purpose and evidence into impact. Through mobile clinics, mental health outreach, and community-based care, we’re working toward health equity for all.
Join us—as a donor, volunteer, or advocate—and help bring humanity to where it’s needed most.
“I was once a child in a refugee camp, growing up with questions no one could answer and pain that had no name. Today, I stand with those same communities—no longer as a bystander, but as a voice for their healing.”
Mr. Bahadur Chaudhary is a dedicated Senior Health Assistant with over 30 years of experience serving Bhutanese refugee camps in Eastern Nepal. He began his career leading health and nutrition programs under Save the Children, focusing on children’s rights and disability inclusion.
From 2001 to 2022, he worked with AMDA, delivering primary and mental healthcare across seven refugee camps, becoming the longest-serving health provider in the camps.
Now as Chairperson of Helping Hands, he supports community-based research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to expand healthcare access for displaced and marginalized populations in Nepal. His leadership continues to guide efforts in advancing health equity and compassionate care.
Born in Ilam, Ms. Pabitra Lamichhane is a founding member of Surya Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SAKOS), Urlabari, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and community development. She currently chairs the Radha Krishna Prayer Group and actively contributes to several local organizations focused on gender justice, social inclusion, and faith-based leadership.
She is also engaged in education and politics, holding affiliations with Multiple Campus Urlabari and various women’s rights networks across Morang district.
As Treasurer of Helping Hands, Ms. Lamichhane provides financial stewardship, local insight, and strategic direction to support equitable healthcare access for marginalized and displaced populations across Nepal.
Mr. Mon Prasad Bhattarai is a retired educator with over 30 years of teaching experience in Ilam, Panchthar, and Morang districts. Known for his dedication to education and civic leadership, he continues to play an influential role in his community.
He currently chairs the Former Teachers’ Organization and serves as a central member of the Bhattarai Memorial Trust. His ongoing involvement with the Elderly Citizens Forum, Radha Krishna Prayer Group, and Surya SAKOS reflects his commitment to social welfare and intergenerational inclusion.
As Secretary of Helping Hands, Mr. Bhattarai brings strong administrative skills and deep community ties to support the organization’s work in expanding equitable healthcare across Nepal.
Dr. Malika Shakya is a seasoned public health professional with over 10 years of experience in refugee health and disease surveillance. She currently serves as a Public Health Officer with UNHCR, leading health programs for displaced populations since 2019, including fieldwork in Kigoma, Tanzania.
Previously, she worked as a Surveillance Coordinator with the Group for Technical Assistance (GTA), strengthening public health systems and outbreak response. As an Honorary Board Member of Helping Hands, Dr. Shakya offers valuable expertise in refugee health, global coordination, and equitable healthcare delivery for vulnerable communities.
Dil Bhujel is a licensed clinical pharmacist whose journey began in the Bhutanese refugee camp at Beldangi II, Nepal. While working with AMDA’s Primary Health Care Project, he delivered care in resource-limited settings, particularly in mental health.
After resettling in the U.S. in 2013, he earned a bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University at Buffalo and a Pharm.D from D’Youville University in 2023. Dil’s clinical expertise includes patient counseling, medication therapy management, and organizing health clinics. He remains committed to expanding healthcare access for underserved and refugee communities through compassionate, community-focused care.
Associate Professor, Brown University | Global Health Leader
Dr. Ruhul Abid is a physician-scientist and Associate Professor at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School. He leads cardiovascular research at Rhode Island Hospital and has extensive experience in vascular biology, global health, and medical education.
He has conducted groundbreaking research on coronary circulation and endothelial function, funded by NIH and the American Heart Association. Dr. Abid also directs global health programs serving underserved workers and refugees in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
His mentorship strengthens our research strategy and global collaborations—bridging science, compassion, and impact.
Thousands in Nepal still wait for care and dignity. Join us to uplift and empower.