Actually, as [Fr. Corapi ](http://www.fathercorapi.com/)says, the contemplative religious life is the most active form of religious life. This is where the real dynamite takes place. It is hidden work in the order of calling down God's grace on the whole world, for the salvation of souls. He says there has been a heresy in the Church called "activism."
I see that you recognized that maybe they (I mean the Poor Clares in the first picture - I'm not sure about the second picture) are praying for causes that help others, but the salvation of souls, and calling down grace for the world, is a cause in itself, although they definitely also pray for all causes that help others.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is patron of the Missions and she spent her whole religious life enclosed, as a Discalced Carmelite Nun. The cloistered contemplative life is definitely not a self-centered life. It is a self-giving life - a self-offering or oblation for the love of Jesus to save souls. It is a difficult intense calling from God to leave the world in your heart and live only for God and His people through intercessory prayer and sacrifice.
Read Saint Faustina's *Diary* or *The Way of Divine Love*, by Sr. Josefa Menendez - then you'll understand the contemplative vocation better. Also, Sr. Consolata, with her "Unceasing Act of Love" Here's a link with information about her "Littlest Way" [http://www.monksofadoration.org/15.html](http://www.monksofadoration.org/15.html)
All the members of the Church actually are called to this contemplative life in fitting with their state in life, to advance in holiness, and the love of God, thus affecting the whole world in the order of grace. When Jesus gave us the new commandment to "love others as I have loved you," this was much deeper than simply active works of charity. It means an intense life of prayer and sacrifice that we may contribute to the salvation of souls - this is the whole meaning of the "co-redemptive" work to which all members of the Body of Christ are called. This is the "no greater love, than to give up one's life for a friend." The contemplative cloistered nun's or monk's life is entirely centered on this self-giving. I think in Heaven we will see how much this hidden work made great impacts on the whole world, even our own lives - I know mine for sure.