This episode is also available in Nepali. You can find it in our podcast feed. 

यो शृंखलाको नेपाली संस्करण  हाम्रो पडकास्टको फिडमा उपलब्ध छ।

In this episode, we hear the stories of two Nepalis who made their way to Queens looking for economic opportunity. Both thought their time here would be temporary. Neither have returned home.

The first story is about a Nepali domestic worker. An estimated 3,000 Nepalis work in private homes in New York City, according to Adhikaar, a non-profit that offers literacy and workers’ rights classes for Nepali immigrants.

In the second segment, we'll hear from another Nepali immigrant – Pasang Sherpa – who left his home behind to find a livelihood in the U.S. Luckily, he managed to build a new home, a family, and a community.

The Nepali domestic worker in the first segment also lives in Queens. To respect her wish to remain anonymous, we have used the pseudonym 'Dolma' instead of her real name.

If you’re listening with others and want to discuss, here are some guiding questions: 

1. What surprised you most about the United States/Queens?


2. What were your expectations about the US before you came, and how did your expectations match up to reality?


3. What do you remember about your first day in Queens? What are your earliest memories of Queens?

Resources mentioned in the episode can be found below:

• Adhikaar, a New York-based nonprofit that works with with the Nepali-speaking community for human rights and social justice


• Pasang Striking Style: barbershop in Jackson Heights: @pasangstrikingstyle / https://www.facebook.com/pnsherpa

This episode was produced by Peter Gill and Shradha Ghale in conjunction with Melody Cao, Anna Williams, and Natalie Milbrodt. It was hosted by J. Faye Yuan.

Mixing and editing by Cory Choy with music composed by Elias Ravin. 

Voiceover work by Sharareh Bajracharya, Jigdel Dorjee Kuyee, and Marion Machado.

Special thanks to Narbada Chhetri of Adhikaar and to Thupten Chakrishar of the Himalayan Elders Project.

This podcast has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this episode are those of its creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of National Endowment for the Humanities, Queens Public Library, the City University of New York, or their employees.