Nakorn Payap International School (NIS)  Boot Fair, Saturday 22 November 2008, was certainly the happiest & liveliest place to be, with a well organised mix of stalls along with plenty of fun and laughter.

This event, originated as the direct result of teacher Ms Elissa who is the driving force behind the fabulous work that NIS students are doing, working in the community with temples dogs, feeding, vaccinating, sterilising and generally providing health care for them. The initiative is called NIS Temple Aid Program.

You can read a little more about the early days of this program here … (August 2007)

Care for Dogs were very proud to be invited along to the boot fair today and join hands with NIS in an adoption opportunity and many pup’s indeed found homes from the fair, some from the temple currently aided by NIS and others from Care for Dogs.

Care for Dogs also managed to raise money via sales of various items and also took many donations from visitors to the stand.

This money will help sterilise so many more dogs we see wandering on the streets and at temples, homeless and just about to go through another round of getting pregnant, giving birth and then losing many of the litter through poor health or not enough food or care.

Amongst the visitors to the stand was a local personality Nick Wiszynski “The Upward Spiral” who is a magician and performing artist.

Not only did Nick put me under his spell, demonstrating the 1 and 5 dollar bill swapping wonder, he enthralled many of the children, only too pleased to take in the excitement of such a talented man.

Nick performs at various parties and events in Chiang Mai & if you would like to engage him for a special occasion, why not contact him here …

For anyone looking for a very useful and authentically Thai gift or accessory (especially at this time of year) the Chiang Mai Charity Calendar for 2009 is an ideal seasonal choice.

This years theme is “Delightful Lanna” and as always a very colourful document, @ just 100 baht, it is a real bargain.

Organiser, Basil McCall’s display of his product attracted many people to their stand and if folks reading this are inclined, they are able to buy the calendar on-line by following the link above.

We think the event was a success for NIS Temple Aid Program as all stand position payments along with entrance fees will go to their program and although as I publish this I have no concrete numbers, the number of pups adopted were in excess of 5.

Well done Ms Elissa, well done all those students who were confidently proud to be called “Staff” on their name tags and others that organised & attended this event.