NATALIE MYERS SPENT THE waning days of her summer break on the front lines of the Catholic Church’s humanitarian efforts in Africa, an experience the JSerra senior said had a profound effect on her. As a member of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry Advisory Council, Myers made the trip to the West African country of Ghana as part of a synodal delegation with Catholic Relief Services.
“The world exposure, the cultural exposure and religious exposure were great,” Myers said. “The Catholic Church loves to love, and it was great to see how this can be achieved.”
While in Ghana, Myers joined with Catholic leaders from across the U.S. to witness the Church’s efforts to advance justice, health and human development around the world.
“Going there, it was proof that the Catholic Church is present, working to make people’s lives better,” she said. “And it is present in so many different ways.”
The 14-member council visited Osu Castle, also known as Fort Christiansborg, in Accra, where they learned about the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
Myers and her peers also visited with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Clubs at Ghana Senior High School, where students were leading efforts to improve public health and sanitation.
The council visited the St. Rocio Clinic, where they witnessed early childhood development programs and chlorine production initiatives designed to improve access to safe water.
They observed the work of Catholic Relief Services and the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization, a development arm of the Catholic diocese in Ghana that provides resources to 300 Burkinabé asylum-seeker households.
Myers, who lives in Carlsbad and is a junior catechist at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in that city, was nominated for a position in the Catholic Youth Ministry Advisory Council by a youth minister at her church. From there, she went through an application process to be accepted on the advisory council.
“I realized this was the group that went to Rome last year,” Myers said of being nominated for a council position. “I was honored.”