FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD St Elizabeth burn victim, Ackalia Dunkley surprised her father and others Monday morning as she sat up for the very first time on her own in hospital in the United States (US), after she suffered third-degree life threatening burns during a gas explosion at her home on June 16.

Ackalia was preparing tea before heading to school early in the morning on June 16 when a mishap occurred, triggering the explosion. Her school uniform reportedly melted on her body during the incident.

Since arriving in the US on June 21 Ackalia has undergone her first set of successful surgeries.

On Monday — while the Jamaica Observer was conducting an interview over the phone with Ackalia’s father, Ruphema Dunkley, who was at her bedside at the Joseph M Still (JMS) Burn Centre in Augusta, Georgia — the conversation was interrupted by cheers and excitement as the teen helped herself into a full sitting position.

“Look, she is getting up in a big way. She just sat up! That shows she is strong,” the Observer overheard projects manager of the Sanmerna Foundation, Stephen Josephs say in the background.

Further, Ackalia’s father, Ruphema, said he was overjoyed and grateful that the people in Jamaica and the Diaspora responded by donating more than US$45,000 to enable his daughter to go overseas, giving her another chance at life.

“I am joyful! Words cannot really express my full feeling. I thank the JMS Burn Centre and Oliver Mair who is Jamaica’s consul general in the southern United States. I have to always big up Delroy Slowly who is the Member of Parliament for North East, St Elizabeth; Minister of Education Fayval Williams; the Child Protection and Family Services Agency; Stephen Josephs; and everybody who gave a contribution both financially and in prayer. My heart lifted when I saw the consul general today,” Ruphema told the Observer.

Ruphema added that, “Today she gave Mr Josephs the first high five; my heart shifted. And I cannot stop giving thanks to the people of Jamaica and the Diaspora, and all over, for their prayers. We cannot leave God out of anything. God is the starter and finisher of everything. We have to give thanks. It is a great feeling to see how she has been responding. It is the first step and we have many more hurdles to go but we will take it step by step. I am glad we have reached this point.”

Also grateful for the outpouring of support for Ackalia was Josephs, who has been leading the charge to raise money and secure treatment overseas for the teen.

“It is a great honour and privilege seeing that Jamaica has rallied around her. I have to thank the Consul General Oliver Mair for always supporting these kinds of initiatives. When I arrived in Atlanta the consul general ensured I was picked up and brought to the hospital. Without his support it wouldn’t be possible. Their support is equally integral in this situation. I thank all the people involved. I say big up to the Minister of Education Fayval Williams, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith, and members of the Diaspora and everybody who contributed to the GoFundMe. She is definitely responding to treatment and we continue to pray,” Josephs said.