Observations from Rwanda: February 11, 2024

The past two months have been busy and eventful, which has delayed my posting an update. Most significantly, I retired as Vice Chancellor of the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) in January, after five amazing, challenging and rewarding years in Rwanda. Teresa and I returned to Nebraska on January 23, where I will resume my faculty position in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We leave RICA and Rwanda with very mixed emotions: sad to leave the people of RICA and the country of Rwanda, but looking forward to being closer to family and having a different focus for our time.

As it has been two months since I last posted, there are a lot of photos I could share. There are more than usual below, selected to represent our activities and emotions through this time. Since we will be returning to Rwanda periodically, I will maintain this site for awhile to share future observations. Thanks for following us over the years!

Richard Ferguson

Hamerkop posing at the RICA beach on the shore of Lake Kilimbi. January 2, 2024.
Young Vervet monkeys posing near RICA’s silvipasture. January 9, 2024.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln students joining RICA First Year students in cleaning barns as part of regular field activities for their Practical Farming class. UNL students were on RICA’s campus during the first week of classes this term as part of a study abroad class. January 9, 2024.
A Woodland Kingfisher perched on a light cable near Kilimbi House, the RICA Vice Chancellor’s residence. A pair of Kingfishers established a nest in a tree in front of Kilimbi House. January 1, 2024.
The screened-in front porch of Kilimbi House. We found this to be a favorite spot for morning devotions and other mosquito-free activities during the seven months we lived there. January 15, 2024.
One of RICA’s kitchen staff grilling brochettes for a reception we held at Kilimbi House for 3rd Year Students before they left campus for their six-month internship. January 11, 2024.
Teresa and I with 3rd Year Students during their farewell reception ahead of their internships. January 11, 2024.
Teresa and I with a painting of us commissioned by 3rd Year Students, taken from a photograph of us in traditional attire at a campus event last year. January 11, 2024.
A Lesser-Striped Swallow perched along RICA’s Spine Path. January 14, 2024.
A Yellow-Throated Longclaw with a grasshopper meal on the RICA campus. December 31, 2023.
RICA’s dairy enterprise classroom, Inyange Hall, early in the morning. January 22, 2024.
The view and sounds from the front porch of Kilimbi House, looking out over Lake Kilimbi. January 20, 2024.
Sundowner kitchen staff with gifts for Teresa and I after dinner. January 22, 2024.
A male Black-Headed Weaver with an early start to a nest on the RICA campus. January 6, 2024.
An active village of Black-Headed Weavers. (Note there is some construction noise in the background). January 6, 2024.
Termites leaving the ground at dusk along the RICA Spine Path. Students are playing basketball on the other side of the path. January 7, 2024.
Flowers in the garden of Kilimbi House. January 21, 2024.
RICA First Year students learning to operate two-wheel tractors, here with mowing attachments. January 23, 2024.
Sights and sounds around farmland and marshland near Lake Kilimbi on an early morning bike ride. December 6, 2023.
On January 19 RICA staff and students held a farewell reception for Teresa and I. This video summary of the event was produced by Molly Wilson, RICA Director of Communications. January 19, 2024.
Acacia tree and sunset on the RICA campus. January 14, 2024.
The world has changed for our African cat Little Bit. January 26, 2024 – Lincoln, Nebraska.

5 thoughts on “Observations from Rwanda: February 11, 2024”

  2. Richard:
    Thank you for sharing these images and notes. Such an experience for Teresa and you.
    And, thank you for inviting me to join you and the team at RICA back in March, 2022. That was such a treat!
    Paul Carter

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  3. Incredible photos! We understand your mixed feelings about completing your work in Rwanda and have no doubt that you will find ways to return to this amazing beautiful country.

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  4. We’ve enjoyed the pictures! So glad to hear that you will be adding more pictures on subsequent trips back.
    I’ve felt such a sense of peace in viewing the calm countryside and bird pictures. Truly a heavenly garden!
    Glad you are stateside and hope to see you in the not too distant future. Linda

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