Metusala is a strong 16-year-old young man living in Abuawka, Central Region Ghana. Up until four months ago, Metusula attended Junior High School, helped his parents on their cassava farm, hung out with his friends, and was the star goalie on his school’s team. Metusala has had to cope with a musculoskeletal birth defect on his right knee all his life. Four months ago, Metusala’s knee began to swell and it became very painful to him. Three months later, as the condition was not improving, his parents brought him to the local herbalist who applied medicine onto the knee. However the knee began to blister with sores and Metusula was not able to attend his classes any longer nor was he able to practice with his football team.

It was in August 2011 during the King’s College and Dalhousie University medical brigade that a doctor consulted Metusala about his knee. He was referred to the Central Regional Hospital where he was told that knee surgery would be required for his case. The hospital quoted 400 USD for the operation plus any transportation and stay that would be required during the procedure. Metusala’s family, who make their living by selling cassava and kenkey, cannot afford the cost of such a procedure and are forced to wonder anxiously about their son’s health. With your assistance Global Brigades can treat this young man so he can be continue with his education and his dream in becoming the next goalie for team Ghana.