Brothers complete 3500km walk across PNG for children with cancer

Brothers Mel-Kizenderk and Kormson Nili pose for a picture during their 130-day journey from Bougainville to Vanimo, West Sepik *(Image: Supplied)*

130-day journey from Bougainville to Vanimo to fund hospital.

Two brothers, Mel-Kizenderk and Kormson Nili, have walked 3,500 kilometers across half of Papua New Guinea to raise funds and awareness for children living with cancer.

The walk began in Bougainville on 14th November 2025 and ended 130 days later on 27th August 2026 at the Wutung Border Post in Vanimo, West Sepik.

Hailing from East New Britain and Enga, the brothers took on the challenge to address child cancer, a growing health concern in PNG.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 140 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Papua New Guinea. WHO estimates the real number could be 400 or more, based on the country’s youth population.

At the Children’s Cancer Ward at Port Moresby General Hospital, there are only 12 beds to serve children since the ward opened in 2015.

“1000 children every year is not a small imaginary number, and with 12 beds in POMGEN, the numbers are alarming. This is based on global WHO averages from 200 other countries. Our country does not have reliable data, not even for census to begin with,” Mel said.

At every stop in communities, markets, schools and churches, the brothers shared messages on cancer signs, possible causes, and prevention, hoping to save at least one life.

A stop in one of the local communities to do quick awareness about cancer *(Image: Supplied)*

Through the walk they also saw the urgent need for better health facilities in remote areas.

“It is the rural areas that are most difficult to reach. Main reasons being lack of education, language barriers and strong superstitious beliefs. This could be the main reason most children in those areas are suffering and dying from cancer, but the data is not being collected,” Mel said.

The brothers say they hope to bring to the attention of every citizen in PNG, especially leaders, that this long-neglected disease is killing thousands of children across the country’s 22 provinces.

“We walk so more children can get a bed. We walk so more lives can be saved,” he said.

All funds raised through their 'Walk for Kids with Cancer' GoFundMe page will be used to purchase more beds and medication for the children’s cancer.