Xavier Poovakulam Missionaries of Compassion had a simple beginning in Arunachal Pradesh at Lazu, Tirap Dist., in the diocese of Miao. On 21st of August 2006, Rt. Rev. George P.K., Bishop of Miao entrusted the Lazu Mission to two of our priests – Fr. Joy Chennattu and Fr. Gilson George in the presence of Fr. Jose Oonnukallel the then Parish Priest. The Parish then consisted of 17 villages and a Balavadi School with 12 students.
By the grace of God, with the aid of some funding agencies, in the year 2007 we started LKG and UKG sections with 22 children and a Hostel with 20 students. In 2008 we could complete the construction of a double storied school building. The school was blessed on 3rd of December 2008. In the year 2009 the Parish Church was renovated. In 2010 the Presbytery was built. By this time we could raise up the funds for Two Village Chapels. The Caritas India helped to establish Piggery to employ the indigenous. In the year 2008 a Grahani School for girls was started for all the girls from Lazu circle. In the same year a self group was formed in the parish level and Medical Camps were conducted and given free medicines to the sick and needy ones.
Now the Lazu Mission School is autonomous with 334 students, 127 Hostellers (Boys and Girls), 9 Teaching Staff and 5 Non-teaching Staff members. There is very nominal fee collection from the students for the running of the school.
Another important mission in this area is organizing retreats and prayer services in all the villages as well as for school children. Today Lazu Parish consists of 775 families in 17 villages. Missionaries of Compassion organize every year Summer Camps for Children and Youth and other spiritual activities for all age groups. Fr. Aby the mission in Lazu in 2009.
On 15th June June 2012 one more Mission was started in Kolam, dividing the Lazu Mission. Since Lazu Mission has two Tribes of People, it was necessary and useful to have two different missions. Thus Lazu consists of Naga-Ollo Tribe, and Kolam consists of Naga-Tutsa. Now Lazu has 12 villages of Ollo Tribe, and Kolam has 5 villages of Tutsa Tribe. In the month of August 2012 Fr. Anil took up the New Mission (Kolam) along with Fr. Anand Madanu. At present we have 68 students in this Mission.
The Missions in the North East India have been facing serious problems of Land-Slide during the raining seasons which block all the Transportation. Lack of phone and other communication facilities is a long- standing problem faced in this area. Insurgency also is a problem of development in these areas.
Fr. Joy Chennattu
