Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Organized by: Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg (BCH)
Event Theme: “Celebrating Culture & Fundraising for Community”
Attendees:  20,000 community members and visitors
ISC Representatives: Zahra Sultani, Ivanna Mozil, Rhute Dumersier, and Andres Vega

The BCH Mela 2025 stood out as one of Central Pennsylvania’s most remarkable multicultural events of the year. Drawing over 20,000 attendees and featuring more than 100 vendors, along with lively parades, dances, and performances, the celebration highlighted the region’s rich diversity and strong sense of unity. The International Service Center (ISC) was proud to participate as an engaged community partner, with four dedicated representatives presenting ISC’s mission, programs, and services to a broad and diverse audience.

The BCH Mela 2025 was more than just a cultural festival; it was a celebration of unity in diversity and a platform to raise funds aimed at enhancing the Bhutanese community’s social impact throughout Central Pennsylvania. The event centered on three key pillars: strengthening BCH’s internal operations to ensure organizational sustainability and effective community outreach; expanding community engagement by fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations through local and regional initiatives; and promoting and celebrating cultural heritage by preserving and showcasing the rich traditions and values of the Bhutanese and broader immigrant communities. The event opened with a vibrant multicultural parade, featuring traditional costumes, live music, and cultural dances from diverse ethnic communities, celebrating harmony and mutual respect. More than 100 vendors joined, offering international cuisine, handmade crafts, cultural art, and informational booths from nonprofit organizations and local agencies. Several distinguished officials and leaders attended, including Commissioner Justin Douglas, Chairman of the Dauphin County Commissioners; Commissioner George P. Hartwick III, Secretary of the Dauphin County Commissioners; Senator Patty Kim of Pennsylvania’s 15th District; and Dr. Ski, President of HACC, whose presence underscored strong governmental and institutional support for multicultural inclusion and community advancement. The International Service Center (ISC) proudly participated as our Community Ambassadors: Zahra Sultani, Ivanna Mozil, Rhute Dumersier, and Andres Vega were intensely engaged with community members and partner organizations to promote ISC’s mission of empowering refugees, immigrants, and underprivileged individuals.

ISC’s booth at the BCH Mela 2025 was thoughtfully designed with informative flyers and engaging visual displays, showcasing the organization’s mission and vision, Language Bank services, Immigration Legal assistance, and employment and integration programs. Over 20 vendors and community leaders visited the booth to explore partnership opportunities, while many Bhutanese community members expressed interest in volunteering and signed up to support ISC’s refugee programs. ISC representatives held meaningful conversations with local officials and leaders, including Commissioner Justin Douglas, who shared his enthusiasm for strengthening collaboration between Dauphin County and community-based organizations like ISC, and Tilak Niroula, BCH Chairman and event organizer, who discussed future coordination and community partnerships. The team also connected with Penn State students, healthcare professionals, and local business vendors, fostering relationships that could lead to educational workshops, volunteer engagement, and joint outreach projects.

The BCH Mela 2025 not only celebrated the cultural richness of Central Pennsylvania but also reinforced community partnerships. For ISC, the event provided a valuable platform to build trust and collaboration with the Bhutanese and broader immigrant communities, increase awareness of ISC programs among the 20,000 attendees, encourage volunteer participation, and strengthen networks with local government officials, educational institutions, and businesses. The festival served as a vivid reminder of what makes Central Pennsylvania a place of compassion, inclusion, and diversity. ISC’s presence underscored its ongoing dedication to bridging communities, promoting mutual understanding, and empowering refugees and immigrants. As the Bhutanese community in Harrisburg takes its next steps as the Bhutanese Community in Central Pennsylvania, ISC stands proudly alongside them—ready to collaborate, share, and serve in building a stronger, united community for all.