A Visit with the Cloistered Carmelite Nuns and Their Growing Agricultural Project By Carley Belanger

If you are anything like me, you may not have heard the term cloistered nun before, let alone been in the presence of one. I was fortunate enough to meet an entire community of twelve.

But what is a cloistered nun?

The internet defines a cloistered nun as a woman who dedicates her life to prayer, contemplation, and religious devotion while living mostly separated from the outside world. The key word is cloistered, meaning kept away from the outside world, sheltered. And in this case, the internet is not wrong. The purpose of their life, which they have freely chosen, is to focus completely on the spiritual without the distractions of everyday society.

Tucked away in Nairobi, Kenya, the Sisters of Mount Carmel live a life structured around prayer, silence, work, and community living. And yes, they love to dance and sing too. To enter the convent, you first speak to one of the sisters through a small window to determine whether you’re a “friend” who may enter. Then you are brought into another room where you remain separated from them by a long wooden table, or in some traditions, a grate. It is a physical symbol of separation from the outside world.

We spoke at length about their lives and their dedication to this way of being. To me, it felt as though they live in a constant state of meditation. They are, as we might say, on an entirely different level. I asked one sister whether it is difficult not to see their families once they join, or to not have the freedom to leave whenever they choose. She told me that once your life becomes centered on prayer and on God, it is not that such things become easy to let go of, but that you begin to feel a deeper purpose and meaning, as though you understand life on a different plane.

I was amazed. And hearing how much of their daily rhythm is devoted to prayer, work, and quiet focus, I began to understand how the world might appear differently to them. I was genuinely inspired.

So inspired, in fact, that the head nun maybe not so jokingly tried to recruit me. And to be honest, the thought crossed my mind. I had never experienced such kindness, grace, and inner beauty. So I asked them whether joining is a one-and-done decision, like you simply say yes once and then you are in for life.

One of the sisters laughed and said, “No, Carley. Yes, some people are immediately called and known.But others come for a time and then return to their families, then come back again, and sometimes this goes on for many years. But they are always called back. It may take time, but they always return.”

So how did Water 4 Mercy end up in this scenario?

How else? Nermine, of course.

While visiting Nairobi, Nermine once went to the wrong address and found herself knocking on a small window, which was soon opened by Sister Constanza. Only then did she realize she was in the completely wrong place. But the sister at the window saw kindness in Nermine, a good heart, and a devotion to God. From there, the rest unfolded naturally, when Sister Constanza invited Nermine to return for tea after her scheduled meeting.

Nermine, being who she is, noticed something almost immediately: the sisters were struggling to stay afloat financially in a way that would allow them to remain sustainable over time. Their main source of income was making the host also known as the sacramental bread or communion wafer. In the Christian ritual of the Eucharist, the host is consecrated and symbolizes the body of Christ. But even with this work, it simply wasn’t enough to provide for their daily needs. And when you cannot leave the walls of your home and your days are devoted to prayer, your options are limited.

But then Nermine noticed a beautiful plot of land on the convent grounds. Some of it was already producing food. That’s when she had the idea to help the sisters begin their own agricultural project, using the education from AiTeC and the technology and support from CultivAid to create a steady and sustainable source of income.

However, the sisters themselves could not work the land or sell the produce in the market because they cannot leave the enclosure. So, through Water 4 Mercy’s support, Anthony, a long-time friend and volunteer of the sisters, was given the opportunity to train at AiTeC’s Embu farm as an intern. He brought this knowledge back to the convent, where he now manages the farm and works to bring the produce into the market.

Pictured Below: Two Sisters of Mount Carmel, Nermine, and Anthony on site at the agricultural project. 

Now, farming is not always a simple solution. Even with the best technology, it takes persistence, skill, patience, and yes, sometimes just knowing the right people. The biggest challenge has been breaking into the local market and building the relationships needed to sell consistently.

Our next blog will introduce Naomi, one of our incredible team members in Embu, whose focus is on agricultural clusters and how understanding these networks is the key to helping the sisters not only produce food, but truly make a profit.

Before I left the convent, one of the sisters gently pulled me aside and asked if she could pray for me in any way. This was just moments after they had shared their own worries about being able to continue their lives without the fear of financial struggle. I remember thinking: They are carrying so much, and still their first instinct is to care for others.

That is who they are.

Their prayer continues. Quietly. Steadily. Every single day.

If you feel moved to help support the Sisters of Carmel in continuing their life of devotion, you are warmly invited to do so. Your contribution to Water 4 Mercy helps sustain their agricultural project, strengthens their independence, and ensures that their life of prayer, song, grace, and peace can flourish.

Pictured right: A photo of me (Carley) taken by one of the sisters on my camera! It was her first time holding and taking a photo. I’d say it’s pretty cute 🥰 😉