Participants of the Hilton Foundation-funded – Sisters’ Blended Value Project visited Subiaco Retreat Centre, Nairobi, Kenya on 23rd September 2022 as part of the action learning portion of module three, Social Enterprise Programme – Growth.
Subiaco Retreat Centre was founded in 1994 and it is owned and managed by the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, Nairobi Priory. What was first only a retreat centre offering accommodation, conferencing facilities and event grounds to both local and international tourists has grown and expanded to a self-sustaining agribusiness hub; with the sisters undertaking various projects i.e., poultry, dairy and pig farming, as well as herbal and vegetable farming. The sisters have also delved into healthcare with a fully functional clinic at the centre, and a flourishing herbal shop geared towards providing natural herbal remedies – all sourced from their organic farm.
Participants of the growth module have already established enterprises and sought to learn from the Missionary Benedictine Sisters who have successfully grown the centre through effective hospitality management, customer service and diversification. The centre is a thriving social enterprise offering a lot of learning opportunities to participants – of most interest was the agricultural practices at the centre as many sisters’ projects are inclined towards farming and agriculture.
During the visit, participants received a tour that included an introduction providing a history and background of the retreat centre, a session focused on herbal healing and a tour of the grounds to explore the various farming practices undertaken by the sisters.
As the Social Enterprise Programme nears completion with the fourth module being the final one before graduation, the sisters begin to prepare their action learning projects for review and implementation. Company visits such as these provide perspective and valuable networks to help the sisters carefully formulate strategies for their projects ahead of implementation. Participants with viable projects will be eligible for grant seed funding that will go towards growing their social enterprises.
Article by Katherine Keango
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