Snowden Alu’s life story is one of rejection, hardship and quiet endurance.
He grew up without a strong support system, often standing alone in moments when family, finances and health failed him.
Violence, sickness, poverty and repeated disruptions to his education tested his strength again and again.
Many times, the pressure was enough to break a person’s spirit. But Snowden held on to one belief that guided him through every dark season: “I will never give up in life.”
Snowden is from Kagua in Southern Highlands Province but was raised in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.
His parents were pastors with the Church of the Nazarene, and because of their ministry, his childhood involved many sacrifices.
He started school at Kala Community School, later moved to Kimininga SDA Primary School, and then to Mt Hagen Secondary School.
In 2014, while he was in Grade 10, his parents were transferred to East New Britain Province for church work, leaving him behind to complete school on his own.
Despite the separation, Snowden pushed on and completed Grade 12 in 2016. In 2017, he was accepted to the University of Papua New Guinea under the TESAS AES scholarship.
He enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program, majoring in Social Work. It was a major achievement for a young man who had already learned to survive without his parents by his side.
After successfully completing his first year, tragedy struck. During the holiday break, Snowden was attacked by youths from his village without any reason.
The assault left him with a badly broken collar bone. He was admitted to Mt Hagen General Hospital and later Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, but his injury did not heal properly.
“That incident changed everything for me,” he said.
In 2018, serious complications developed. A blood clot formed in his left arm due to internal bleeding from the injury. His condition became life threatening.
For almost two years, from 2018 to 2019, Snowden battled pain, weakness and fear, spending long periods in hospital wards.
During this time, his education came to a complete stop as survival became his main focus.
In 2020, after recovering by what he describes as ‘through God’s Grace’, Snowden applied for re-enrollment and was accepted.
With no family in Port Moresby, a friend offered him a small room at Nine-mile (Bushwara) for K100 a month. He registered as a day student, but the arrival of COVID-19 made life even harder.
Bus fares increased sharply, costing him around K10 per day. He was unable to keep up with expenses, so withdrew from studies once again.
The following year, Snowden returned with renewed determination.
“I told myself, I will never give up in life,” he said.
He paid the compulsory fee of K3,115 and survived by staying with friends as a student on means support (Soms). That year, he successfully completed his second year.
In 2023, his situation improved slightly when he secured accommodation through the HELP loan program, thanks to the Marape-Rosso Government.
He went on to complete his third year of studies, bringing him closer than ever to graduation.
In 2024, financial struggles hits back. Snowden wrote letters seeking help from leaders, businesses and individuals, but received no response.
His parents, his only sponsors, managed to raise K2,500, but it was not enough to cover the full registration fee. Registration closed, and he withdrew for the third time. He used the money to travel to East New Britain to reunite with his parents after nine years apart.
Soon after returning home, illness struck again. Snowden was diagnosed with leprosy and spent ten months in a wheelchair, from March to November 2024.
Only a few close friends knew about his condition. “I was fighting quietly,” he said.
By Christmas Eve, family issues related to his adoption left him feeling rejected and alone once more.
The year 2025 passed with little progress, until a former classmate from Mt Hagen Secondary School reached out.
The simple question, “Did you graduate already?” sparked new hope. Encouraged by his friend, Snowden applied again for university.
This year 2026, he has received an offer to return and complete his final year again.
Although many of his friends are now working and sharing their success online, Snowden remains focused on his own journey.
“It hurts sometimes, but I believe my time will come,” he said.
He said: “I always have faith and told myself that one very fine day I will walk the podium that has been a path for many.
His story stands as a message to young people facing hardship, sickness and rejection. No matter how long the struggle lasts, giving up should never be an option.