Embracing Unity: Service and Prayer in Kenya

Nairobi, the vibrant capital city of Kenya, has provided many opportunities for learning, personal growth, prayer, and fun. Throughout my first two months here I’ve learned more about myself and have gained a better appreciation for cultural diversity. 

Nairobi has provided the opportunity for a wide variety of work experiences. Two days a week I work with different programs aiming to help provide support, guidance, mentorship food, and clean clothes for kids in the surrounding slums of Nairobi. These days consist of many types of activities including art, board games, soccer, basketball, and prayer. There are approximately 2.5 people who live in the slums of Nairobi which calls for unfortunate circumstances for many families and children in the area. Two other days of the week I help teach English, Science, and Math to 4th and 5th graders at Saint Benedict Primary School located just across the road from where I live. Our last day of the work week has been a mixture of working at Uzima Hospital and Mother Teresa’s Home of Mercy. At the hospital, I’ve been learning how to be of assistance in the laboratory and have also been serving as an aid to nurses in the maternity clinic. Mother Teresa’s Home of Mercy is located in a slum and the nuns there serve as caregivers for special needs orphans. Our days there consist of playing and helping feed the kids. In these precious moments, the exchange of smiles and heartfelt interactions is a reminder of the profound impact that love and care can bring to these young lives. The variety of work has allowed us to meet many amazing people and build connections throughout the community in Nairobi. 

I currently live with the monks here in the monastery in Nairobi. It’s a beautiful area located in a bustling part of Nairobi. Our mornings have consisted of getting up at 6:30 AM for daily mass with the monks and local community members. There are about eight monks that live here and they have been very welcoming since the day I arrived in Kenya. Our Sundays consist of eating dinner and watching various TV shows with them after dinner. It’s been an enriching experience to talk, ask questions, and engage in learning and laughter with them. 

Weekends provide a chance to explore the city of Nairobi, venturing into local malls, vibrant street kitchens, lively bars, parks, and cinematic experiences in bustling movie theaters. One memorable weekend, we journeyed beyond the city limits to visit the connected monastery in Tigoni, where we immersed ourselves in prayer and shared meals with the monks. They've extended a warm invitation to return whenever we seek to escape from the urban hustle.

The first two months in Nairobi, Kenya have been filled with many new experiences. Time has flown by and I’m continuing to try to take in as much as I can every single day! I’m excited to continue to develop relationships with the monks, work partners, and community members. I'm eager to deepen my connections with the monks, my dedicated work partners, and the wonderful community members who have welcomed me into their lives. Nairobi has become more than a location; it's a vibrant tapestry of experiences that continue to shape my journey.