At just 35 years old, Samuel Somne carries a burden heavier than the most.
Diagnosed with a brain tumor, his days are often disturbed by seizures — sometimes in the middle of the night, other times during work.
Yet, despite the uncertainty, one thing remains unwavering: his will to live.
Samuel hails from Injua Village in the Nipa District of Southern Highlands Province. A soft-spoken yet determined young man, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pacific Adventist University (PAU) on December 1, 2013, having studied there from 2010 to 2013. Like many Papua New Guineans, he pursued a better future with dedication and quiet hope.
In 2021, shortly after getting married, Samuel began experiencing seizures — mostly between 2 and 3 a.m. “I never knew they were happening,” he recalls. “I’d wake up with body and joint pain, and my wife Florence would tell me I had fitted in my sleep.”
Still unaware of the underlying cause, Samuel pushed on. But between 2022 and 2023, while working with the Olympus Project, the seizures began occurring during the day — sometimes at the office.
“I would just black out and wake up in a hospital bed. Sometimes I’d hit my head and face on the floor if no one was around to help,” he shares. “That’s when I realized I needed a proper check-up. It became difficult to go out or walk around alone. It hit me hard. I felt like half my life was being taken away.”
He eventually resigned from his job due to the persistent seizures. At Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN), he underwent a CT scan, but the results were inconclusive. He was advised to undergo an MRI at Pacific International Hospital (PIH). After getting the MRI scan at PIH, he returned to a neurosurgeon at POMGEN for clarification.
The diagnosis was devastating: a brain tumor.
“At first, I felt hopeless,” Samuel admits. “But my family stood by me. Their support gave me strength to keep going. I placed my faith in God and believed that this tumor could be removed if I received the right medical help.”
In early January 2025, a neurosurgeon at POMGEN referred Samuel for treatment overseas after reviewing his MRI scans. He initially considered the Philippines, but after hearing the success story of another Papua New Guinean who received treatment in India, he was convinced that India — known for its affordable and advanced neurosurgical care — was the right place.
“If I’m able to undergo surgery and receive treatment, it will be my greatest testimony,” Samuel says.
However, while the medical path is clear, the financial road remains uncertain.
“For months, I’ve struggled not just with the tumor but with the cost of going overseas,” he explains. “The tumor is still growing, and the seizures are becoming more frequent. I now collapse without warning. I’m considered high-risk.”
But Samuel is not walking this journey alone. In a powerful show of unity and love, his brothers and tribesmen have rallied behind him to organize a Corporate Fundraising Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025. The goal is to raise the critical funds needed for his surgery in India.
“This dinner is more than just an event — it’s my only hope,” he says. “With the support of my people, I believe I can make it. I believe I can live.”
Time, however, is not on his side. Samuel’s travel is already booked for Thursday, July 25, 2025.
“That date is fixed,” he says. “We’re racing against time. If there’s a delay, it could cost me my life.”
Samuel’s plea is not just for money — it’s for a chance to live and continue being a husband to his loving wife, a father to his two young sons (aged 3 years and 8 months), a son to his parents, a brother, and a proud Papua New Guinean.
■How to Support
If you would like to support Samuel Somne’s medical fundraising campaign or attend the Corporate Fundraising Dinner, please contact:
Mr. Luke Mongolap: +675 7080 4996
Mr. Samuel Somne: +675 7284 4887
Email: samuelsomne686@gmail.com