Building friendships and engaging in education can be difficult for children who have suffered burns. But thanks to your care and compassion, we are finding ways to help and heal.
Vaimoana was just eight months old when he accidentally burned his left hand with hot water at his home in Samoa. Now aged six, this painful burn has been very difficult for him to live with. The scar contracture has led to restriction of movement, discomfort, and impacted his mobility and social skills.
Children like Vaimoana often face exclusion and isolation that can have a devastating impact on their lives. But because you care, our volunteer surgical team was able to help.
Thanks to your support, and the expertise of Interplast volunteer surgeon, Dr Benjamin Norris and Samoan surgical registrar, Dr Junior Posini, Vaimoana recently had life-changing surgery on his hand.
After the scar tissue was released, a full-thickness skin graft, comprising of important structures like blood vessels and nerves, was carefully taken from Vaimoana’s groin and applied to his hand.
To aid Vaimoana’s recovery and rehabilitation, Interplast volunteer physiotherapist Katie Anjou then moulded a splint to his left hand, helping it to heal, and encouraging proper alignment of Vaimoana’s new skin, muscles, and tendons.
Your support is critical to the education and mentorship of volunteer teams like this, so they are able to provide ongoing support to doctors, nurses, therapy staff in countries like Samoa and better care for their patients.
Vaimoana is recovering well and is able to use his hand more freely. He’s looking forward to being able to play, colour and draw, just like the other children at school!
World Burns Week, at the beginning of November (3-9 November 2025), is an annual event raising awareness of the urgent need for better global burns care. Across the Pacific, burns sustained from hot liquids is the most common injury for young children. With your caring support, our teams are working alongside local partners to develop awareness campaigns to prevent burn injuries at home and providing effective first aid to reduce the severity of the injuries.
Your commitment to our work is making a big difference for children like Vaimoana. Thank you!
