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Billy, Kate & Will in Perú

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DFID

International Development and the United Kingdom

Posted on Thursday, August 9, 2007 Leave a Comment

Today the International Development focus group met with some pretty influential and powerful people in London.

We began our day at a bright and early 6am bus ride into the city center of London to meet with the representative from the British Department for International Development (DFID). The DFID meeting was interesting and inspiring. Despite the very low statistics about US giving to international development, the United Kingdom is doing an excellent job in sharing their wealth. Now, of course the DFID is going to up-play their positive work, and downplay the United States, lack thereof, but still, they are working considerably more than we are. As part of the presentation, we discussed the United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), which are set to be completed by 2015. Unfortunately, things are not looking excellent for the completion of all 8 goals, but many are on the road to completion by the deadline. Despite the predicted completion date for 10 years later than desired, the other statistics were refreshing to hear.

After the Department for International Development, we proceeded to Parliament to meet with MP Tony Baldry from the Banbury region. While it was exciting to be meeting with a real, live Member of Parliament in a conference room in the Houses of Parliament building, his discussion of the topic was not quite as interesting. Just a traditional politician, talking in circles.

Commonwealth Secretariat – Communications & Public Relations Advisor

Buttery Quiz Night

Posted in: Alma College | Tagged: Department for International Development, DFID, England, United Kingdom, USAID

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A couple weeks ago it was announced that the entir A couple weeks ago it was announced that the entire country of Peru would go back into a mandatory quarantine from April 1-4 over Semana Santa. Semana Santa (specifically Thursday through Sunday of Holy Week) here is an immensely popular long weekend for traveling, visiting the beach or at minimum spending time with the extended family and friends since almost everybody has the holidays off. It’s the last hurrah as the summer winds down and the new school year begins. So for these 4 days we’re not allowed to leave our homes unless it is to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, and then it is just 1 person per family that is allowed to go. Knowing that we wouldn’t be able to go outside, earlier this week we had a very impromptu picnic in the trunk of our car at the beach while we watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. While these 4 days are different than how we would have liked to spend the weekend, we are deeply grateful for a safe home, for our health and for the ability to spend time as a family. #littlewilliamnoah
Today we headed out to Cieneguilla to go for a hik Today we headed out to Cieneguilla to go for a hike along the Río Lurin, add more outside hours to our challenge and simply enjoy the blue sky and warm weather before summer ends here south of the Equator☀️ We also had lunch with dear friends and ended the day with some well deserved ice cream ☺️ #littlewilliamnoah
After a year of being at home throughout various l After a year of being at home throughout various levels of quarantine (including a full quarantine for 108 days for adults and even longer for Will), when restrictions eased again at the beginning of March we headed 3 hours south to Paracas for a few days of fresh air, sun, water and family time - and as a bonus, we added 44 hours to our #1000hoursoutside goal 🐟🌴☀️🚤 #littlewilliamnoah
Summer break is over and a new school year has beg Summer break is over and a new school year has begun! Unfortunately it sounds like it will be another year of virtual preschool but we’re excited to see what he learns and how he grows this year in Miss Angie’s class! #littlewilliamnoah
Happy fourth birthday to our little Will! You have Happy fourth birthday to our little Will! You have made our world a whole lot sweeter and you are our greatest adventure 🤍 We love you forever! #littlewilliamnoah
Last night the Peruvian president announced a two- Last night the Peruvian president announced a two-week lockdown covering 1/3 of the country, including Lima, amid a significant rise in COVID-19 cases here. The new lockdown will run from January 31 through February 14. New restrictions include the closure of all non-essential shops (only pharmacies, grocery stores/bodegas/markets and banks are allowed to be open) and a ban on domestic air and land travel. The ban on flights coming from Europe (and now Brazil) is extended. As of right now, the border remains open to all other international flights. Only 1 person is allowed to go grocery shopping at a time, and we are no longer allowed to use our personal cars. We also are only allowed outside for 1 hour per day for exercise/mental health, and should be at home the remainder of the time. 

We are experiencing a second wave of infections and with the variants, it sounds like there will be more positive cases this time than we had a year ago during our first quarantine. Experts are predicting that we will not hit our peak until April. According to Johns Hopkins University, Peru has reported more than one million cases and about 40,000 deaths related to COVID-19. 

This evening Will and I went for a walk through our neighborhood to squeeze in a little more outside time before Sunday when it will become harder to complete our 1000 hours outside. 

It’s difficult knowing we have to go back into a lockdown, but we are thankful for our health and that we have a safe place to quarantine at home. Join us in praying for the country of Peru and that these measures taken will make a positive impact on the pandemic here. 

#littlewilliamnoah
Working towards spending #1000hoursoutside and put Working towards spending #1000hoursoutside and putting many kilometers on Will’s scooter and bike this year 🚴‍♂️🛴#littlewilliamnoah @1000hoursoutside
To end what has been a long, unexpected year we di To end what has been a long, unexpected year we did a little staycation at a hotel in Lima. We walked around a new neighborhood, had a picnic in the park, watched movies, studied the city from above, spent time swimming in the pool and watched fireworks being set off over the city of Lima as the clock struck midnight and we entered the new year. 

While 2020 may not have been what we envisioned it would be a year ago, I am thankful for my little family, our health and the opportunities we have had this year. 

May 2021 be filled with adventure, laughter and hopefully being able to see family again! ✈️ #littlewilliamnoah
It was a quiet Christmas at home for the 3 of us i It was a quiet Christmas at home for the 3 of us in Lima this year but we enjoyed a slow 2 days, lots of good food (including, per Will’s request, funfetti cupcakes for Baby Jesus’ birthday), Zoom calls with family and time together. 

(Also don’t let the first gift your child opens to be a costume of one of their favorite characters unless you want all of your photos of the child to be in that costume 🤦🏻‍♀️) #littlewilliamnoah
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