In 1950, the Catholic Church of Aruba, very concerned about the fate of abandoned children, asked Mother Imelda, Mother Superior of the Dominican Sisters of Bethany in the Netherlands, to come and take care of the orphans of the island.

The construction of the children’s home started in 1954. Four pavilions, for 15 children each, were built, each named after one of the 4 Dutch princesses at the time, Beatrix, Irene, Margriet and Marijke.

In 1958 the convent was finished which included a small chapel on the south side.

In 1990, the Sisters retired, but the work was continued by laymen ‘in the spirit of Bethany’. Only the west of the convent is now called Imeldahof.

The former convent is now called ‘Cas pa Hubentud’ (‘ Home for the Youth’).

The communion rails from the adjacent St. Anna Church were moved to the chapel of the convent when it was inaugurated. The benches, the altar, the floors and woodcarving inside the chapel are of monumental value and are protected.
So is the convent.