Girl who fell into cooking pot gets life-changing surgery

By Amy Reast

A schoolgirl left with burns and unable to dress herself after falling into a cooking pot can now put on her school uniform by herself after life-changing surgery.

Annica, nine, grew up unable to do basic tasks children take for granted, due to burns on her arms preventing her from raising them.

She fell into a cooking pot at her aunt's restaurant at age two, causing second-degree burns.

But she was unable to access appropriate medical care near her home in Toamasina, Madagascar, as her family couldn't afford it.

As a result her arms became fused in place and she grew up unable to get dress herself, raise her hand in class, brush her hair or play with friends.

Then international charity Mercy Ships docked their hospital ship, Africa Mercy, in Madagascar in 2024.

Annica got life-changing reconstructive surgery - skin grafts to restore mobility in her arms - and is now able to dress herself, comb her hair, and even play basketball.

Annica said: "I am happy because I can reach high.

"I want to write on the top of the board and clean the top of the board [at school]."

Annica was just two when she suffered burns to her arms in the cooking area of her aunt's restaurant.

Her mother, Felicia, recalled that Annica had perched on a lid of a cooking pot - and fell into the hot food.

Felicia said: "The lid slid and she fell into the pot. I cried every morning when I looked at her.

"I thought my child would not survive this."

She was unable to get suitable medical care initially, and by the age of three, contractures had formed.

Her arms were so restricted she was unable to perform simple daily tasks like putting on a dress or fetching water.

At school, she struggled to do things other children could easily - like run, play basketball or write on the board.

Her teacher described how Annica "didn't have the courage to do anything" as a result of her disability.

Then, they heard of a neighbor who had received free surgery from Mercy Ships in 2015.

When the Africa Mercy returned to Madagascar in 2024, Annica boarded the hospital ship for free reconstructive surgery.

Surgeons performed skin grafts to restore mobility in her arms and ensure the burn contracture would not recur.

Her surgery was June 19, 2024, and it took two hours.

Reconstructive surgeon volunteer Dr. Venter said: "With her initial injury, the burn areas got infected and some of the skin died.

"We had to bring some new skin from other parts of her body to cover what she'd lost."

Annica had to wear splints and pressure garments on her arms for six weeks after the surgery, and did physical rehabilitation.

Her physical therapist volunteer, Kaylee Earll, said: "She was very determined to do everything herself, so she wouldn't take any help from her grandma.

"When you can't really run because your arms are stuck to your side, and then suddenly you can, you feel free."

Now healed, Annica has returned to school - and can dress herself in her uniform every morning.

She can also play basketball with friends, comb her hair, and write on the top of the whiteboard in class.

The nine-year-old has even set her sights on becoming a teacher one day.

Her own teacher, Charles, added: "She will be more confident because she no longer has problems with her arms.

"She can do her best to reach her goals because she doesn't have any obstacles now."

Her father, Tojoniaina, added: "I thought she was never going to be able to do those things.

"I feel like she's never gotten burned.”