A man who grew up living with wild animals has undergone dramatic transformation and is now unrecognizable.
The man mirrored Disney’s Mowgli character
Zanziman Ellie, known as the “real-life Mowgli,” spent his childhood living among wild animals in Rwanda’s forests.
He has since undergone a remarkable transformation.
His story gained international attention after a documentary showed his unique upbringing.
It showcased the challenges he faced and the changes he had experienced.
As a child, Zanziman was bullied by local kids due to his appearance, which led him to flee into the forest.
There, he found companionship with various wild animals, eating grass and bananas alongside them.
His life mirrored Mowgli’s from the classic Disney film as he adapted to living in the wild.
He developed a deep bond with nature.
The man was bullied due to his rare condition
Zanziman suffers from microcephaly, a condition that causes a smaller-than-normal head size.
This condition contributed to the bullying he endured, making him feel isolated.
His life changed after receiving funds from good people
However, his life took a positive turn when a film crew arrived to document his story.
The exposure helped him reconnect with his family, who had been searching for him.
Today, Zanziman is around 25 years old and is almost unrecognizable from his earlier days in the forest.
Thanks to donations from viewers of the documentary, he and his mother have built a new life together.
The funds enabled them to move into a safe home.
“We used to live in an old house which was going to fall anytime.
I never knew my wishes were going to come true.
“This house has each and everything for this house to be a home. This is heaven on earth,” Zanziman’s mother said.
They also provided Zanziman with the chance to attend a special needs school at the Ubumwe Community Centre in Rwanda.
His mother describes the changes as miraculous, expressing her gratitude for the support they received.
“We used to live in an old house that was falling apart.
Now, we have a home filled with everything we need,” she said.
Zanziman has learned essential life skills, such as riding a bike and taking care of his personal hygiene.
“God is a miracle worker. He was being ridiculed and I would often run after him.
At the moment he is in school with his peers and I am so happy.
“My son is having a good life, well-wishers have built me a house… my sorrow has been taken away,” his mother added.