So often, our newspapers and other media focus on the bad news stories. We watch the news, or read the front page, and depression sets in. “Good news is no news”, say the cynics. The event I attended on 4 November at Unduavi, in the Yungas of La Paz, breaks the trend. Even more so, as it is an example of good news flowing from personal tragedy.
In May 2009, Theo Dreyfus was killed in an accident on the famous “Road of Death” between La Paz and Coroico, doing what he loved – having an adventure, letting the adrenalin flow, cycling down this most exciting of adventure trails. Like many British travellers and back-packers, he had come to Bolivia to enjoy the fabulous scenery and adventure opportunities. Although the vast majority of holidays to Bolivia are trouble free, safety standards are not always as high as at home (Travel Advice). Theo’s accident, and the inability of rescue services to get to the scene quickly enough to save his life, was one example.
Theo’s father, Dominic Dreyfus, was determined that good should come out of this tragedy. He decided that he would do what he could to help ensure that never again a tourist would suffer on the Yungas road because of the inability of Bolivia’s rescue services to save him in time. On 4 November this year, his perseverance became reality, in the shape of the donation of a rescue and paramedic vehicle and equipment, to be based permanently in the Yungas, paid for by the Dreyfus family and the donations of hundreds of friends and supporters in the United Kingdom.
It was a privilege for me to attend the donation ceremony. The Sub-Comandante of the Bolivian Police, General Iturri, in receiving the donation, said he did so in the name of Bolivia’s 35,000 police. His promise to the Dreyfus family was that with the new equipment the bomberos and rescue services would be committed as never before to the safety not only of tourists but all those using the difficult Yungas roads. I salute Dominic Dreyfus. His extraordinary gesture will help to protect and make safe thousands of tourists in Bolivia for years to come.