Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education in India Guwahati
March 11, 2026 2026-03-12 18:04Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education in India Guwahati
FAsCE India
Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education in India – Guwahati
The Fransalian Agency for Social Care and Education in India (FAsCE India) is the social action initiative of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales in Northeast India. Inspired by the compassionate spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and the missionary vision of Peter Marie Mermier, FAsCE India seeks to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized communities through organized social action.
Service to the poor and the marginalized is an essential expression of Christian faith. Since the MSFS missionaries arrived in Northeast India in 1975, they have been working in remote regions, accompanying communities and addressing their social, educational, and developmental needs.
Formation of FAsCE India
The experiences gained through grassroots pastoral ministry led the missionaries to reflect deeply on social concerns affecting the people of the region. After years of study and reflection in Provincial Congresses and Chapters, the Province decided to organize its social ministry in a more structured manner.
This vision took concrete shape in 2005 with the establishment of FAsCE India, under the leadership of Fr. Jose Karipadathu, who became its founding Director. The organization was officially registered as a society on October 26, 2005, under the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act. Soon after, it obtained registration under the Income Tax Act to function as a charitable organization.
Growth and Expansion
Over the years, FAsCE India has expanded its interventions across Northeast India. Under the leadership of various directors and with the support of confreres, staff, and partners, the organization has developed several initiatives aimed at uplifting marginalized communities.
Major areas of intervention include:
Promotion of Child Rights
Women’s Empowerment and community development
Vocational Skill Development for school dropouts
Peace-building initiatives
Community-Based Rehabilitation for persons with disabilities
Promotion of health and environmental protection
Through these initiatives, FAsCE India has adopted a rights-based approach to social work, integrating professional methods with the Fransalian spirit of service.
Institutional Development
FAsCE India has also contributed to strengthening various social service centres of the Province by:
Improving technical institutes at Diphu and Imphal
Establishing vocational training centres in Gogamukh and Hamren
Conducting capacity-building programmes for teachers, youth, and women
Supporting mission centres in project planning and resource mobilization
These initiatives have significantly strengthened the social ministry of the Province.
COVID-19 Relief: Solace in Times of Need
During the nationwide lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, FAsCE India launched an emergency relief initiative titled “Solace in Times of Need.”
Through this project, the organization distributed essential food supplies, hygiene materials, and protective items to more than 13,000 families, benefiting over 80,000 people across Assam and other parts of Northeast India.
The initiative focused particularly on vulnerable groups such as:
Migrant workers
Daily wage earners
Single mothers and elderly persons
Tea garden workers
Street vendors and slum dwellers
Vulnerable children and persons with disabilities
The programme included awareness campaigns, food distribution, cooked meal services, and thermal screening, offering much-needed support during the crisis.
Continuing the Mission
Today, FAsCE India continues to expand its social outreach across Northeast India, working towards a more just and compassionate society. Guided by the Fransalian spirit of gentleness, humility, and service, the organization remains committed to empowering communities and promoting human dignity.
| SL. NO | PARISH PRIEST | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomy Thekkel | 1997–1999 |
| 2 | Sebastian Kuzhupil | 1999–2002 |
| 3 | Joseph Thekkel | 2002–2004 |
| 4 | Bernard M. Sangma | 2004–2009 |
| 5 | Thomas Nirappel | 2009–2011 |
| 6 | Shaibu Ezhanikat | 2012–2016 |
| 7 | Jose Thekkel | 2017 – |
