Journalist's Plan to Teach Kids About Money in Bolivia Backfires

Anil Bhoyrul, a British business journalist convicted in a share-dealing scandal, has revealed that his attempt to teach his three children the value of money by sending them to school in Bolivia did not go as planned.

Bhoyrul, 60, was convicted in 2006 for his role in the 'City Slickers' 'buy, tip, sell' scheme between 1999 and 2000. He performed 180 hours of community service for his involvement. The scheme involved journalists buying shares in low-value companies before recommending them to readers, then selling their own holdings for profit when the share prices rose.

Following the scandal, Bhoyrul and his wife, Slovenian photographer Branka, relocated to Dubai. After eight years living in the city, they decided their children—Evita, Joe, and Savannah, then aged nine, six, and five—were becoming too materialistic. Seeking a less consumer-driven environment, they chose Bolivia, one of South America's poorest countries, for their children's education.

From 2018, the family lived in La Paz for two years. The children's commute to school reportedly involved traveling through the Amazon rainforest, immersing them in the natural world. However, upon their return to Dubai after six years, Bhoyrul stated that his children quickly reverted to consumerism. "They were meant to learn the value of money and not get carried away," Bhoyrul told the Daily Mail. "It didn't work. They came back after six years, and within ten seconds their view was, 'I've done my time. Where's the iPhone? We're never going back'."

Bhoyrul noted that his daughter Savannah, now 13, is particularly fond of designer brands and spends a significant amount on clothing. "They've totally gone the other way now, and my daughter spends a fortune. At just 13 years old, she's got all this designer gear," he said. He added, "I wouldn't advise parents to ship their kids off."

Bhoyrul recently attended the UK launch of his new book, "Men's Guide to Pregnancy," which details the nine months before his son Joe was born. Savannah, who also attended the event, joked that she only came on the trip to visit a popular coffee chain. Bhoyrul described his book as offering the male perspective on pregnancy, covering the challenges and humorous aspects of the experience.