Lente Schürmann grew up on a bordering farm herself. As a child of six, Lente was given an orphaned cheetah cub after a neighboring farmer shot the mother. The family called her “Sebeka” and she soon became part of the household. Together, Lente and her mother, a nurse, lovingly cared for the animal. Lente and her cheetah were inseparable. Later when she married Johann and was mistress of her own farm bordering her parents' farm, she was open to taking in orphaned cheetahs and other animals.
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| Lente Roode |
In fact, she has expanded her refuge to more than just the cheetah. Now called the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, HESC offers a home to rhinos and wild dogs, among others. She has even set up a vulture restaurant to provide food for the endangered vultures of South Africa.
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| a memorial to one of the earliest "American angels" of the HESC |
It was such an honor to meet Lente and hear her inspirational story first-hand. She has always believed that God would provide for her sanctuary and she has been proved time and again! The sanctuary has been maintained all these years through generous donations by individuals, businesses and foundations - many of them American.
Vince and I visited the HESC last weekend especially to meet Toni, the cheetah cub that the American Society of South Africa adopted in November.
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| Toni and her siblings |
Toni is now six months old!
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| the delegation of ASSA members with Toni |
Proud parents!
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| presenting the check for Toni's care to Lente |
This was a very special weekend to visit as we were also there for the ASSA president to present a symbolic "check" to the HESC for Toni's care and feeding over the next two years.
To adopt your own cheetah or to donate to the care and feeding of the animals living at the HESC, contact them now!
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