Bara ala kwé

The 1970s were a different time in Africa.  Countries across the continent were in full post-independence development mode, and there we were, young American Peace Corps volunteers - teaching, drilling wells, building schools, raising fish, and establishing community health programs, all over Centrafrique. It was our time.

 

The trials and tribulations of being in na be ti Afrique were many - a new language or two, tropical diseases, unresponsive fonctionnaires, homesickness, isolation, unfamiliar food, etc.  But the joys were also many - the thrill of discovery and adventure, jobs well done, our Central African and Peace Corps friendships, warm Mocaf beer and... trips to the local studio photo to record the moments. 

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The idea for this collection was born during the gathering of anciens volontaires held in San Francisco in 2015  where, among other things, we chuckled and marveled at the few studio photo pictures making the rounds.  We figured many silly, serious and inscrutable portraits were stored in boxes, baskets, and albums.  We were right.  Merci to all who have so far contributed images that chronicle a bit of the life and times of our Peace Corps family. But please send more, and we’ll add them to this collection. No expiration date!

This site allows you to download any of these photos - just right click on the image for a  menu. (Note: Several images are too small to print well, but most of them will give you a nice 4x6-inch print.  You'll figure it out.)

You are also invited to add to the memories under each photo. 

Salut les amis!

Roberre et Barbara

Scroll down and enjoy!  
At bottom of page, click on "Older Posts"  to go to next page.

TO SEND MORE PHOTOS 

Contact us - Rob Leutheuser and Barbara Howald
or see instructions link, also at bottom of page

Wildlife in Bangui

- Bangui circa 1980 -
Rich Carrol, unknown
Joe Hindman, Bruce Hulberg

Zo ti Soussou - Cohort IV

- Bangui, September 1980 -
Jill ____, Rob Dimarzo, Ben Way, Ron Beane, Karen Moleski, Tim Romocki
Steve Patterson, Pam ____, Chris Matlack, Cathy Larrabee
Andrea Turkalo, Marie Murphy
Rich ____, Michael Fay, Phil Hunsicker

" ... what we did at stage for the vehicle maintenance that day.  I had assigned stagiares to each truck.  So the three missing first names are Rich (bottom left), Jill (Rob right), and Pam (between Rob and Ben.  I may have switched Jill and Pam.  No idea about last names.  It was August 1980."  Chris Matlack

Le Premier - 1973

- Bangui 1973 -
Libby Garvey, Kennan Garvey, Scott Stephens, Biff Cahill, Paul Krumsiek, Amalia Barbieri Stephens.
 Seated: Thomas (from PC office in Bangui.)

"This may be the first such photo take with volunteers in CAR ... I think this was taken late summer 1973 just before we left for our posts."  Libby Garvey

"Hallo? Hallo? C'est pour toi."

 - Bangui, June 1980 -

Michael Blake, Gail Center, Eddy Bodila

"Bodila = Best Blake Bozoum Student Ever."  Barbara Howald

Bangui Witness Protection Program

- Bangui 1977 -
 Greg Becker, Doug Peterson

"I have no recollection of being there."  Gregoire
"It was taken close to the roundabout where the schwarma shack was.  My guess 1977."  Nucleare

Dave and Nancy - 1978

- Moundou, Tchad - March, 1978 -

 Dave Atwood and Nancy Reuschel

“… this photo was taken in Moundou in March 1978; David Atwood and Nancy Reuschel. Note the decorative fence with roses attached. The fence is set up backwards:  if you resort to a mirror, you can see the name and address of the photographer, although he calls himself "Raymon" rather than the "Raymond" on his stamp.”  Nancy Reuschel

The Motorcycle (Helmet) Diaries

- Bangui 1978 -
Cindy Holliday, Mike Fayne, Mark Rand (now Randazzo), Heidi Waleson
Front:  Barbara Howald

“Wow. Even though I've seen that helmeted-gang photo many times over the years, it never fails to blow me away, and to bring that whole amazing time back in a rush.”  Mike Fayne

“I believe this one was entered into the body of evidence in the now famous Fayne expulsion trial. Visible proof that he could find his helmet and more or less fit it on his head when the occasion demanded.”  Roger Clapp 

“We did this photo not long after the helmets had arrived, and even we moped riders were supposed to wear the things. Which we never did, of course. Our never-worn helmets were thrown around in the dirt prior to a visit by PCD Karen Woodbury, so it'd look like it had been worn. How old did we claim to be?”  Barbara Howald