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Pilot to a Peace Corps: Operation Crossroads Africa
 Eastern Nigeria MarketplaceThis marketplace was the service project for the 1960 Eastern Nigeria Crossroads Group in Eha Amufu, Nigeria. It was never actually used as a market due to conflict between the community organizers and the merchants over location. It was, however, used as a battle site during the Biafran War sometime between 1967 and 1970. |  Nigerian Volunteers/StudentsThe list of Africa students who worked alongside the Eastern Nigeria Crossroads Group in 1960. This list was given to each crossroads participant before they travelled to Africa. It provided background information on each of the African students, including their hometown and school. |  Callaway&Herlin, Trinity UniversityThis photo was taken sometime between 1958 and 1962 at Trinity University. It shows Dr. Barbara Callaway and Dr. Susan Herlin, both participants in the Operation Crossroads Africa program. |
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 Eastern Nigeria Group at Work SiteThe work site that would eventually become a marketplace. This photograph was taken in 1960. It shows the East Nigeria Crossroads Group in Eha Amufu, Nigeria. |  Postcard- Arriving for IndependenceThis postcard was purchased in 1960. It shows tribal leaders arriving in Abuja, Nigeria for independence celebrations. |  Northern Horsemen DemonstratingThis postcard was purchased in 1960. It shows Northern Horsemen demonstrating at independence celebrations in Abuja, Nigeria. |
 Students at Trinity UniversityThis photograph was taken some time between 1958 and 1962. It shows Dr. Barbara Callaway, Dr. Susan Herlin and their roommates sunbathing at Trinity University. Dr. Barbara Callaway travelled to East Nigeria and Dr. Susan Herlin travelled to Ghana in 1960. |  Eastern Nigeria GroupSome of the African and American Crossroaders in the Eastern Nigeria Group. This was taken at the marketplace work site in 1960. |  Barbara Callaway Diary EntryDiary Entry from Dr. Barbara Callaway, written July 13, 1960. Dr. Callaway kept a comprehensive diary of her Crossroads trip starting with the orientation in June 1960, and ending with her flight back to the United States. |
 Barbara Callaway on the Biafra WarThis article was written in December, 1968 by Dr. Barbara Callaway for the Tuscon Daily Citizen. It addresses the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. |  Eastern Nigeria GroupAll American members of the 1960 Operation Crossroads Africa Group in Eha Amufu, Africa. |  Eastern Nigeria-Building the Market |
 Students All Dressed UpBarbara Callaway, Lilian Miles and Charlie Osakwe. This photograph was taken in 1960 in Eha Amufu, Nigeria. |  Nnamdi Azikwe and StudentsNnamdi Azikiwe and two african students. This photograph was taken in 1960 in Eha Abufu, Nigeria. Azikiwe was in Eha Abufu in part to speak with the Crossroads students, and in part to celebrate independence. He was the leader of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, one of the three major political parties in Nigeria at the time. He was also one of the candidates for president in the 1960 elections. |  John Bing and CrossroadersDr. John Bing and other crossroaders at the marketplace worksite in Eha Amufu, Nigeria. This photo was taken summer of 1960. |
 Nigerian FarmersNigerians working in the fields in Eha Amufu, Nigeria. This photo was taken in 1960. |
Photographs and Artifacts
introduction
Operation Crossroads Africa was, and continues to be, a program that facilitates service and diplomatic ties through personal relationships. Students work alongside fellow African peers on a project intended to help the community. The students are not paid, and instead have to raise their own money to participate in the program.
The program is six to seven weeks long, depending on the location. It includes a week long orientation. At least part of the trip, generally about two weeks, is spent touring the country and general region.
Operation Crossroads Africa was founded in 1958, three years before the creation of the Peace Corps, and was particularly impactful in it's early years because of the political and cultural nature of the times. Students were travelling abroad as African countries were shrugging off the chains of colonialism and the United States was fighting a battle against the spread of communism.
The focus of this project is on the impact of those early years, specifically 1960-1962.
existing crossroads instagram
Video
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