Pätzold had something of a crisis after graduating from a high school in Western Germany.
He knew he had to set his sights beyond Dortmund, and applied to an organisation which sends young, educated people to southern Africa to implement sustainable sport projects.
The young traveller did not think twice and packed his bags without looking back.
Pätzold says he does not regret exchanging the cold and rainy days at home for the Namibian heat.
“My motivation is always to learn. Getting to know people who think differently from me gives me the possibility to learn. After finishing my university degree in three years, my plan is to live in different countries, for at least half a year in each country.
“I think my next destination abroad would be Vietnam,” he says.
Pätzold, unlike most young travellers, didn't want to end up in a big bustling city that would remind him of home.
He says he yearned for a journey of substance.
“I wanted to be as far away from Germany as possible in a cultural view. I desired something as completely different as possible,” he says.
“I knew South Africa and Namibia are popular vacation destinations for tourists, so I crossed them out. Sensing my distress, my organisation told me not all of Namibia is like Windhoek and Swakopmund. They told me the North is so different, it could be another country,” Pätzold says.
To his delight, he got exactly what he wanted.
Eenhana especially caught his eye, and after spending some time there, he now considers it his second home.
Pätzold and his fellow volunteer in Eenhana, Emily Heindel, have built outside benches for their school, with him starting a boys' soccer team, while Heindel built a girls' team.
They train their teams twice a week, and sometimes do trips to the swimming pool, and go to other schools or other towns like Ongwediva or Walvis Bay.
Pätzold says he enjoys practising his Oshiwambo and travelling around Namibia with his friends.
One of them is Arthur Daka (22), a student based in Windhoek.
Daka describes Pätzold as fun and sociable.
Rejoice Sakeus (22), another friend, says: “He's a cool person. Phil is kind, curious and open to learning and trying new things.”
Sakeus says he took him to taste kapana, and Pätzold was left licking his fingers.
From visiting the Ovahimba people at Opuwo, having a blast at Spitzkoppe, or roaming aimlessly around the bustling capital city, it was impossible for Pätzold not to be met with friendly smiles and eager companions.
“From day one I was surprised by the kindness of the people, especially in the North, where I get way more attention, because of my skin colour.”
He says he has learnt a lot from Namibians.
“Here, people live way more relaxed, which leads to them enjoying their lives more.
“They don't put themselves under so much pressure,” he says.
“My favourite thing to say in Oshiwambo is 'ove omuwanawa', because everybody is beautiful in so many different ways,” Pätzold adds.
– Afterbreak Magazine
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