Horses, dogs highlight of kids’ holiday programme in Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain

As the third quarter of the current academic year gets underway today (18 July), around 100 children attended a daily school holiday programme in La Provence Way, Westridge, arranged by community worker Bronwill de Bruyn with the sponsorship of equipment from Unchain the Plain.

De Bruyn says his organisation – Chosen to Restore Hope – focuses on the youth and those in need of assistance to get out of drug addiction. The programme was hosted during the last week of the school holidays.

“We wanted to make the last week of the holidays special for the children,” he says.

Children had the opportunity to interact with the horses.

The six-year-old Dutch Shepherd is trained in narcotics detection and assistance in apprehending a suspect.

While officers do not use dogs in the apprehension of suspects, they still offer this as part of the demonstrations at dog shows.

The programme included games and fun activities.

On Thursday 13 July, the programme included a demonstration by the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police K9 and equestrian units.

Officers demonstrated the dog’s drug and explosives detection capabilities and how a dog could assist in apprehending a suspect – although this is not done in South Africa in line with human rights laws. The horses were paraded for the children, who also had the opportunity to pet and interact with them.

Bronwill de Bruyn, founder of Chosen To Restore Hope.

The programme was supported by Decisions Affect Destinies (DAD) ambassadors and Ward 81 councillor Ashley Potts.