Fritz Pawelzik

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Fritz Pawelzik , full name Hans-Fritz Pawelzik , honorary title Nana Kofu Marfu II (* December 2, 1927 in Herne ; † January 29, 2015 in Mülheim an der Ruhr ), was a German writer , missionary of the Christian Association of Young People , Development Aid and Ashanti - chief in the small town of Konongo .

Life

Fritz Pawelzik was born on December 2, 1927 in Herne as the son of a miner. His father was a political prisoner during the Nazi era . Pawelzik belonged to the Hitler Youth and volunteered for military service in 1943 at the age of 15. First he was trained as a fighter pilot, but then fought with the ground troops on the Eastern Front and in the Oderbruch . Shortly before the end of the war he was taken prisoner of war in Berlin, defending the Reich Chancellery, in the Hotel Adlon, and came to Leningrad . During this time, the previous Hitler supporter recognized the damage the Hitler regime had inflicted on the world. After eighteen months in captivity, he managed to escape and returned to Herne. A British soldier gave the returnees a Bible, after reading it, Pawelzik found the Christian faith and actively worked in the YMCA with the aim of later becoming a missionary.

Pawelzik received his training at the YMCA secretary school in Kassel.

First Pawelzik worked as a miner missionary before 1959 after a request from the YMCA Ghana on behalf of the YMCA as a Brotherhood Secretary of Ghana was to begin there until 1966 with the construction of the YMCA work. With this he continued the work of the English Brotherhood Secretary Ted Ewing. He lived with his Finnish wife Karin, who had recently married, in Takoradi , where she also practiced as a dentist. Two daughters and one son were born in Africa. In 1964 the family moved to Accra . Pawelzik invited young men to groups and trained employees for the work of the YMCA. His work was particularly focused on schoolchildren and students, to whom he gave personal responsibility for their clubs. Some of his first employees were later able to take on leadership roles in the YMCA Ghana, in the churches and in society. In 1961, during a visit by Federal President Heinrich Lübke, Pawelzik received a grant of 100,000 DM in development aid for the construction of an apprentice dormitory in Accra. He built the headquarters of the national YMCA, in the building of which there is also a vocational school for poor young people, who can train to become masons or carpenters there. Another training center is located in Takoradi. Today, the YMCA operates more than 15 kindergartens in Ghana and maintains clubs in schools in which boys and girls are to be culturally encouraged.

In 1966/67 he studied as the first German YMCA secretary at George Williams College in Chicago, where he earned a master's degree in social science in just one year.

Between 1967 and 1977 Pawelzik headed the Christian Leadership Development Program (CLDP), which he designed for YMCA secretaries in East Africa (responsible for Kenya , Uganda , Tanzania , Zambia and Zimbabwe ). This program was financed by the YMCA World Federation, various national YMCA associations and the Evangelical Central Agency for Development Aid (EZE) in Bonn. Pawelzik attached great importance to the fact that the African YMCA did not simply take over the work of the European or German YMCA, but could develop your own, regionally typical styles of their work. Conversely, this was also reflected in how he z. B. translated the specific African prayer language into German and made it known. He was able to accompany this work of the African YMCA when he worked from 1977 to 1981 at the YMCA World Service in Geneva in the worldwide staff training. Even when he returned to Germany to the YMCA-Westbund, Pawelzik continued to travel regularly to Africa. In Germany, he campaigned for YMCA associations in Ghana and Sierra Leone to be networked on an equal footing with German YMCA local associations and to enable a personal exchange between employees. His initiative resulted in over 40 club and local partnerships between Germany and Ghana, and later also between Germany and Sierra Leone . In Germany, Pawelzik gave numerous lectures in schools and other institutions, in which he told young people in particular about the time of the Second World War and his change of heart towards a new beginning and what he himself called a kind life. Pawelzik was not only an extremely committed contributor to the worldwide YMCA work, but also a gifted narrator. He was able to break down his well-founded education perfectly to the respective circumstances, but also represented it "at the top" with the necessary emphasis. He lived an almost childlike Christianity with an openness that was also inviting for atheists and those of different faiths. In evangelical YMCA circles, his sociologically sound work was repeatedly criticized, but he was never discouraged. Until his retirement in 1992, Pawelzik was responsible for world service work in the YMCA West Association.

Pawelzik was able to tell exciting stories, in particular how he became Ashanti chief for life in 1994, and he liked to appear in traditional costume with his chief's sword. In the obituary of the YMCA Ostwerk eV it is stated: "In the small town of Konongo in the region of the Ashanti tribe, where he helped to expand a hospital, he was appointed chief out of gratitude. Under the name 'Nana Kofu Marfu II.' He became a lifelong member of the city's governing body and was 'Chief for the development of Konongo '. In traditional tribal outfit, Fritz Pawelzik reported on his adventurous life in Africa at countless events - exciting, humorous, original and with a lot of heart. " Up until old age he flew to the Ashanti once a year , where he completed a program with many protocol obligations and helped many financially with the donations he had collected in Germany, which he used to build kindergartens, vocational schools and clinics.

He died in the Evangelical Hospital in Mülheim an der Ruhr after a short serious illness in the presence of two of his children who live in Düsseldorf and Amsterdam. During his lifetime, the Ashanti, a large tribe in Ghana, chose Sabine Drescher as the designated successor to their German chief Fritz Pawelzik - she is to become the “Queenmother” after his death.

Voices on Pawelzik

Günther Haas, former World Service Advisor for the YMCA Association, remembers his companion.

Carmen Behrens, Public Relations Officer at CVJM-Ostwerk e. V., described him in her obituary as an impressive personality who always raised her voice for peace and international understanding in the spirit of the Gospel. His great love was for peace and Africa.

Andreas Altmann , himself an atheist, accompanied him to Ghana in 2004. He found the folklore that was made about the chief in Ghana rather touching and exhausting. He also wrote of third parties who saw an old man in Pawelzik who only strengthened his own ego with appearances in Africa and overlooked the fact that they were "ripping off" him.

The SCM Hänssler-Verlag advertises Pawelzik's autobiographical book with the words that it is “the moving legacy of an impressively human original”.

Further obituaries from contemporary witnesses, including:

  • Kwabena Nketia Addae, General Secretary of YMCA Ghana, thanks the "Local Chief for Development in Konongo City", who was honored for his hard work in the Ashanti region;
  • Reginald Wake, retired YMCA secretary in England, remembers Pawelzik as a former colleague in Africa and confirms the information in the obituary of the YMCA Westbund;
  • Christian Kamara, General Secretary YMCA Sierra Leone, points out how Pawelzik is remembered in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

literature

  • YMCA World Service: Beyond Borders. Snapshots from international experiences of the YMCA World Service. compiled by Günther Haas, Kassel, 2004, pp. 48–57 and 222–236

Publications (selection)

Pawelzik has published more than 40 books in which he mainly processed his experiences in Africa. Some of the works appeared in editions of up to 80,000 copies and have been translated into 18 languages.

As an author

  • On the way between Ruhrpott and Africa , (autobiography), Holzgerlingen, SCM Hänssler , 2012, ISBN 978-3-7751-5369-0 .
  • The pious kicker from Africa (novel), Berlin, Frieling-Verlag Berlin , 2001, ISBN 3-8280-1551-4 .
  • The happy tin church , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus , 2001, ISBN 3-417-20814-9 (5th edition).
  • Karin & Kaminski: something like a family chronicle , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 2001, ISBN 3-417-21920-5 (4th total edition).
  • Dawn in Chicago: how we got our family saying , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 2000, ISBN 3-417-20878-5 .
  • with Günther Schild: My memory is my home , Maroldsweisach, CVJM Altenstein, 1997, ISBN 3-89014-115-3 .
  • White chief Nana Kofu Marfu II. , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1997, ISBN 3-417-20867-X .
  • Twice Eden and back: Harry & Mona , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1996, ISBN 3-417-20860-2 .
  • The refrigerator on the camel and other stories , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1995, ISBN 3-417-23251-1 .
  • Harry or the freedom not to commit , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1995, ISBN 3-417-20857-2 .
  • Stories strong as a lion , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1994, ISBN 3-417-23248-1 .
  • with Günther Schild: Late harvest: Looking back on a life , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1994, ISBN 3-417-24107-3 .
  • The happiness in the bag: a visit to Germany , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1993, ISBN 3-417-20842-4 .
  • I throw my joy into the sky: prayers from Africa , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1993, ISBN 3-417-20473-9 .
  • How does the coconut get on the car roof? , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1992, ISBN 3-417-23241-4 .
  • An angel in the milieu , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1991, ISBN 3-417-20832-7 .
  • How much love does a person need , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1990, ISBN 3-417-20807-6 (2nd edition).
  • We are looking for a man with fantasy , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1989, ISBN 3-417-20804-1 (2nd edition).
  • Signora Angela and other stories , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1989, ISBN 3-417-20824-6 .
  • Emscherperlen or the murder of grandma Bregulla , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1989, ISBN 3-417-20819-X .
  • The boss was called Mexico: Stories from the Other End d. Welt , Wuppertal, SCM R. Brockhaus, 1986, ISBN 3-417-20365-1 (2nd edition).
  • Mary: the story of an African woman , Neukirchen-Vluyn, Aussaat-Verlag , 1985, ISBN 3-7615-4816-8 .
  • Hallelujah from the hot oven: prayers of young people , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1983, ISBN 3-7615-3194-X .
  • Wachira, Janne and the coconut head , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1981, ISBN 3-7615-2748-9 .
  • The sun burns my skin: prayers and Social poems from Africa , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1981, ISBN 3-7615-4405-7 .
  • Bwana Jesus on Kilimanjaro: New Stories from Africa , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1977, ISBN 3-7615-0256-7 .
  • With Bible, ball and swimming trunks: Stories from the YMCA in East Africa , Erlangen, Verlag der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Mission, 1975, ISBN 3-87214-065-5 .
  • Groups, types and models: from coal pot to Kenya; Experience report on group dynamics from 3 continents , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1973, ISBN 3-7615-0117-X .
  • I sing your praises through the day , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1965.
  • Tom Ojo drums his psalm , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1962.
  • I lie on my mat and pray: African prayers , Wuppertal, Aussaat-Verlag, 1961.

Translations

  • Selli 6, numero 230: romanialaisen lääkärin vankilakokemuksia , Helsinki, Sley-kijat, 1991, ISBN 951-617-941-X (edition in Finnish of How much love does a person need )
  • Dagen skinner i gresset: afrikanske bønner , Oslo, Credo Forlag, ISBN 82-531-9291-6 (selection in Norwegian from I'm lying on my mat and praying )
  • Afrika bidt , Gravenhage, Boekencentrum, 1971 (selection in Dutch from I lie on my mat and pray, translated by Ype Schaaf)
  • Jag ligger p ° a min matta och ber: Afrikanska böner; Samlade och ° atergivna , Stockholm, EFS-Förlaget, 1971 (selection in Swedish from I lie on my mat and pray, translated by Allan Hofgren)
  • Afrikkaa läheltä: Tapahtumia ja tapaamisia , Helsinki, Suomen Lähetysseura, 1967 ( African sketches translated by Leena Vallisaari)
  • Ylistän Sinua: Afrikan nuorten kristittyjen rukouksia , Helsinki, Suomen Lähetysseura, 1967 ( I sing your praise through the day translated by Liisa Lehtonen)
  • Jag sjunger ditt lov dagen l ° ang: Unga kristna afrikaners böner , Stockholm, EFS-Förlaget, 1966 ( I sing your praise through the day translated by Allan Hofgren)
  • Sur ma natte je prie , Lausanne, Éd. du Soc, 1964 ( I lie on my mat and pray , French translation by Edmond Pidoux)

Audio documents

  • Fritz Pawelzik, contemporary witness , interview with Fritz Pawelzik in the series Mensch, Otto! - Man, parts! on BAYERN 3 (Podcast)
  • Fritz Pawelzik, His experiences in the Third Reich , lecture on November 13, 2008 in the FEG Bonn
  • Fritz Pawelzik, With a wheelchair and private jet through Africa , lecture on March 18, 2010 in the FEG Bonn
  • Fritz Pawelzik , Nana Fritz in Africa, illustrated audio book, 2003, AKA-Studio Essen
  • Fritz Pawelzik , Our Village in Africa, audio book, AKA-Studio Essen

Songs

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Announcement of a lecture by the Zukunftsinitiative Nehemia eV in the TU Dresden on May 15, 2013 ( Memento of the original from February 1, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / Zukunftsinitiative-nehemia.de
  2. ↑ [1] CVJM-Ostwerk eV, obituary accessed on February 24, 2015
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g Report from the Evangelical News Agency Idea from January 30, 2015
  4. ↑ Interview with Pawelzik on the website of the ERF Verlag
  5. ↑ a b Carmen Behrens: Fritz Pawelzik is dead - legendary storyteller of the YMCA died at the age of 87. YMCA press release, accessed February 1, 2015
  6. ↑ a b c d e f Andreas Altmann: The old Fritz of Africa . In: Focus, June 28, 2004, accessed February 1, 2015
  7. ↑ a b B. Bringmann: The white chief. In: WAZ. December 11, 2007, accessed February 1, 2015
  8. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from February 10, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Eckard Geisler, obituary for Fritz Pawelzik @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.cvjm-westbund.de
  9. ↑ a b c [2] Afterword for Fritz Pawelzik
  10. ↑ see: CVJM-Weltdienst, 2004, p. 48
  11. ↑ Simon Sonntag: Short biography of Fritz Pawelzik - the "white chief" ( memento of the original from February 1, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on the website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Community of St. Christophori in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (pdf) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / christophori.de
  12. ↑ see: CVJM Weltdienst, 2004, pp. 48–49
  13. ↑ see: CVJM Weltdienst, 2004, pp. 222–223
  14. ^ [3] Chronicle of the association partnership between the YMCA Altenvoerde and the YMCA Manjama Branch Bo, Sierra Leone, West Africa
  15. ^ [4] CVJM Ostwerk eV: Obituary 'Fritz Pawelzik is dead', accessed on February 24, 2015
  16. ^ German waffles in Africa on the online offer of the Märkischer Zeitungsverlag
  17. ↑ [5] in the YMCA blog
  18. ↑ On the way between Ruhrpott and Africa at SCM Hänssler
  19. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original dated February 26, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Obituaries on the website of the YMCA-Westbund @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.cvjm-westbund.de
  20. ↑ [6] Interview with Fritz Pawelzik in the series Mensch, Otto! - Man, parts! on BAYERN 3 (Podcast)
  21. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Fritz Pawelzik, His experiences in the Third Reich, lecture on November 13, 2008 in the FEG Bonn  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fegbonn.de
  22. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Fritz Pawelzik, With a wheelchair and private jet through Africa, lecture on March 18, 2010 in the FEG Bonn  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fegbonn.de
personal data
SURNAME Pawelzik, Fritz
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Nana Kofu Marfu II .; Pawelzik, Hans-Fritz
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German development worker and chief of the Ashanti
DATE OF BIRTH December 2, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH Herne
DATE OF DEATH January 29, 2015
Place of death Mülheim an der Ruhr