The first school year 2017 started as in Bethlehem. They rented a hall from a local Catholic parish and started their humble new school with two make-up classrooms. The official start was on 6 February 2017 when they finalized the registration of the first students (graduates of grade 8) and held the first school year opening ceremony.
Another group of Grade 10 graduate girls of Kimbe requested the Caritas Sisters to accept them as well. The Sisters decided to welcome those out-of-school girls and on February 13 they started the first class of Grade 10 students with 10 students. On 20 February, they started Grade 11 with more than 100 new students. At this moment, there are 115 girls studying in Kimbe Caritas Secondary Technical School.
The Caritas Sisters of Jesus are among the 31 official members of the Salesian Family, with about 980 Sisters living in 15 different countries. The Korea - Seoul province of Caritas Sisters of Jesus is in charge of the Papua New Guinea missions in Port Moresby and Kimbe, now with two Secondary Technical Schools staffed with 7 Sisters. Some of their PNG candidates for religious life are now in the formation house at Quezon City - Manila, Philippines.
The Caritas Sisters of Jesus are asking for prayers for this newly started fragile mission in Papua New Guinea. Their first Kimbe 'convent' is still a wonderfully coloured 20-ton red container!