He was also denied access to education on the basis that he did not have the mental capacity to concentrate in class, and for this reason he was destined to spend his life foraging in the jungle.
Zanziman Ellie was born in 1999 and lived with his mum in the jungle in Rwanda. However, from an early age, he was made fun of and shunned by his community because of his physical appearance.
According to The Standard, his mum said: “My 21-year-old boy did not go to school because experts told me that this boy cannot manage to attend a class.
“They examined the boy and told me that he lacks knowledge. He has the knowledge to survive but not that of making him a student.”
It is believed he has a condition called microcephaly, whereby a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected, often due to abnormal brain development.
His story was the subject of a documentary released by Afrimax TV last year, and he touched the hearts of viewers across the world.
In the documentary, Zanziman’s mum told reporters that due to his appearance, he was the target of bullying in the village his entire life, with his peers often calling him ‘monkey’ and ‘ape’.
Following the documentary, Afrimax TV set up a GoFundMe page and donations flooded in from viewers hoping to help Zanziman and his mother build a better life.
Now, the donations have been used to send him to a school for children with special needs at the Ubumwe Community Center, according to Atinka News.
Zanziman is now somewhat of a celebrity, and people frequently stop him on the street for selfies.
Credit: Newsflash
His mum said: “After the death of his siblings, we were desperate and shocked. We prayed and in 1999 we were blessed with Elie. I cherish him as a gift from God and I love him.
“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.”