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Flying High For KidsWorld Balloon Project
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the UNICEF event would be held the fol-
lowing day. We met with representatives
from both UNICEF Thailand and Special
Olympics Thailand. All was in order and a
couple of marquees had all ready been set
up for guests. At the same time, a number
of processions by local schools were
happening. Hundreds of school children
were parading down the streets, bringing
gifts to the numerous temples in the area.
It is a tradition just before the Buddhist
lent, which lasts for three months. It was
quite a sight.
The centre of Chiang Mai is centuries
old and very beautiful. It is possible
to walk around for hours enjoying the
sites of the intricately made temples and
learning about the rich history of the area
at the museums. The food is great and
fits all budgets, from cheap street food to
expensive, top class restaurants.
We travelled to the Three Kings Monu-
ment early next morning and set the bal-
loon up while children, guests and VIPs
arrived at the square. One of the children
from a special needs school welcomed
the guests and speeches were made. We
then inflated the balloon, whichwas quite
dominating in the relatively small square.
35 special needs children gave handmade
postcards to me, and I gave postcards to
them from children in New Zealand and
Australia. Awhile later, a fewkids climbed
into the balloon’s basket for a photo. They
were so happy to be inside it and see how
it all worked. We eventually deflated the
balloon, which a number of kids helped
us with-they loved jumping on the balloon
to get the air out.
Following the event, we all went to
a purpose-built special needs school
and shown the work that UNICEF and
Special Olympics Thailand are doing in
their health screening programme. Many
doctors and nurses check the health of the
kids, if they identify a problem, they send
them for more specialised care. Many of
the kids come from rural areas and board
at the school, which has around 400
children and 100 staff. It is a great asset
to the area and they are lucky to have
a place which looks after children with
special needs.
I left the following morning and trav-
elled the same road I had been on a few
days before heading back to Laos. The
crossing on both sides went smoothly and
I was happy to see Vientiane after such a
long day of driving.
Children playing games at
special needs school
Three Kings Monument,
Chiang Mai
Driving to Chiang Mai
Central Chiang Mai