Help Support Helen the Eland's Documentary on Coexistence

Written By: Mary Ann Mangano & Evans "Dims" Ouma

Director of Photography: Evans "Dims" Ouma

Art Director: Adnan Charara

Music Director: Winyo

Length: 20-25 minutes

Location: Pardamat Conservancy, Kenya

Language: Maa (English subtitles)

Hi my name is Mary Ann and I am the producer for this beautiful documentary about Helen the baby eland forcibly separated from her mother at birth by an electric fence in Kenya’s Pardamat Conservancy. Found weak and malnourished the following day by a local herder boy, he took her to Jackson the conservancy manager to be protected and cared for by the conservancy rangers.

Despite having freedom to roam at the conservancy office without fences, Helen finds an unexpected sense of acceptance amongst a herd of cattle and Nashilu, a Maasai pastoralist at the Pardamat Conservancy, Kenya.

Helen finds herself between her life that has provided her with care and the instinct to find a mate among the wild eland herds that results in repeated rejection.

The film explores themes of survival, belonging, resilience, and the interconnected important relationship between pastoralist communities and wildlife. (The film will be in the native language of Maa with English subtitles)

Why donate?

We are a nimble team who have self funded this project out of the love for Helen, the community and the important messages this story conveys about conservation, however we need some help with essential production and post production expenses. These funds will help to positively benefit the local community as we film.

The initial $2,200 will cover expenses such as transportation, groceries and school supplies for local community children, accommodation, hardrives. We require this amount most urgently as our production dates are January 24th - February 5th, 2024.

The remaining expenses is all post production editing, coloring and sound design expenses.

We aim to enter this film into international film festivals to help raise awareness about conservation and the efforts being made by Pardamat Conservancy and Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara and the filmmakers / artists involved. It is our goal to continue to create meaningful educational documentaries in Kenya and throughout the continent to highlight impactful stories about conservation, culture and wildlife.

We truly appreciate your support in sharing this and any contribution because every shilling/dollar makes this film possible.