The young man who went viral in 2021 after fleeing his home to live with wild animals in the Rwandan forests has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Zanziman Ellie, who became known as the “real-life Mowgli” after a documentary about his life in the forest was shared on YouTube, earned the nickname due to comparisons with Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves in Disney’s classic film *The Jungle Book*.
In the documentary, Zanziman was shown living in the forest, eating grass and bananas alongside wild animals.
He was forced to leave home after cruel bullies made his life unbearable due to his appearance, even calling him “monkey.”
Zanziman has microcephaly, a condition where a baby is born with a much smaller head than normal.
His life took a positive turn after the documentary was made, leading to his reunion with his family.
Zanziman, now believed to be 25 years old, with his birth year reportedly in 1999, is unrecognizable in his most recent appearance.
Documentary makers Afrimax TV set up a GoFundMe page, which garnered donations from around the world.
These contributions enabled Zanziman and his mother to start a new life together.
Recent footage shows Ellie looking smart in his school uniform and enjoying life at home with his mother.
His mother describes his incredible transformation as nothing short of a “miracle.”
The donations were used to enroll him in a school for children with special needs at the Ubumwe Community Centre in Rwanda.
Zanziman’s mother expressed her gratitude: “God is a miracle worker. He was once ridiculed, and I often had to run after him. Now, he’s in school with his peers, and I couldn’t be happier.
“My son is living a good life, and well-wishers have even built me a house… my sorrow has been lifted.”
In an updated video, footage showed the mother and son in their new home, where Zanziman now has his own bedroom.
His mother shared: “We used to live in an old house that could have collapsed at any moment. I never imagined my dreams would come true.
“This house has everything it needs to be a true home. It feels like heaven on earth.
“You’ve given me this device where I can see people talking to me (the television). I will never feel lonely again.”
The last update about Zanziman revealed that he has also learned to ride a bike, clean himself, and wash his clothes.
