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Help Sebastian Walk Again and Rebuild His Life
Goal: $31,696
A Story of Resilience and Hope
Imagine losing your leg in a boating accident as a child in a remote fishing village in the South Pacific. Then, against the odds, you push through to earn a college degree in the U.S., survive colon cancer as an adult, and still hold fast to a dream—not just to rebuild your own life, but to uplift others.
This is Sebastian Alewa!
Sebastian before the accident.
Sebastian is an extraordinary man from Papua New Guinea. As a child growing up in a small fishing village, he lost his leg below the knee in a tragic boating accident when it was struck by a propeller. Despite this life-altering injury, he pursued his education and eventually earned a college degree in the United States—where two of his children were born.
Sebastian’s graduation day
After completing his studies, he returned to Papua New Guinea and taught agriculture for five years. But due to a bureaucratic error, his U.S.-born children were declared to be undocumented aliens and he was assessed large fines. Fearing family separation, Sebastian and his family returned to the U.S. in search of legal clarity and safety.
While in the U.S., Sebastian received devastating news: he had colon cancer.
Sebastian with family following surgery
Thanks to the incredible generosity of neighbors who covered the entire cost of surgery, he survived and is now undergoing chemotherapy to prevent a recurrence. Despite all he’s been through—disability, illness, legal uncertainty—Sebastian remains focused on building a future not just for his own family, but for others as well.
What Does Sebastian Need?
Sebastian now faces two urgent challenges:
- He needs a new prosthetic leg. His current one, which he has used for many years, is obsolete and no longer functional. A durable, custom-fitted replacement is essential for his mobility, dignity, and ability to work.
- He must return to Papua New Guinea. Due to immigration limitations, Sebastian is no longer legally able to stay in the U.S. He is deeply grateful his cancer was discovered while he was here—in his remote village, it likely would have been a death sentence. Now he must go home, resolve the legal issues related to his children's citizenship status, and start over again.
A Vision Beyond Survival
As Sebastian returns to PNG, he plans to launch a sustainable pig farming project to help smallholder farmers improve food security and build stable incomes. He will teach them how to transform sweet potato vines that are currently being discarded into usable feed, and introduce modern techniques and improved breeds. Eventually he plans to donate starter piglets to other families in his village.
Typical rudimentary pig pen.
While this campaign does not seek funding for the farming project, we believe it's important to share Sebastian's long-term vision. It reflects his deep commitment to helping others build self-reliance—just as he is striving to do for his own family.
How You Can Help
We are raising $31,696 to address his immediate needs:
- $15,779 for a durable, custom prosthetic leg designed to withstand the physical demands of rural life.
- $10,000 for airfare and meals for Sebastian’s family of seven to return home to PNG ($1,315 per person; ~48-hour journey)
- $4,917 to pay fines in PNG and correct his children’s citizenship status
- $1,000 for relocation support and temporary family assistance
Sebastian has faced physical loss, economic hardship, forced displacement, and life-threatening illness—but he has never stopped working toward a better future. Your donation will give him the ability to walk again, return home with dignity, and begin building a new life of purpose.
With gratitude,
Mark Reynolds
Campaign Organizer