CAUTIOUS HERO OF THE DANGERZONE

worriedw about getting sick whenw I was in the UK, so my mumm laughs about me now. “She’s like, ‘ You are such a hypochondriach and are living ini one of the worst places to be a hypochondriac.’

“When you are in the UK, if youy get a temperature, you think,t ‘I’ve got a bad cold or a bit ofo man flu’. But when youy are here and get a temperature, you couldc have malaria oro something even worse.” w Anna is proud that the t UK is one of only four f countries meeting the t United Nations’ foreign f aid spending commitment c of 0.7 per cent of gross national income. She said: “I spent the best part of two years working with DFID here and its impact is huge. It really does make a huge difference. “The projects I liked best were nutrition programmes we funded in the north of the country because when children were coming, you could see the difference in their weight and health over the weeks.

I’ve been to some locations where there was a ‘school building’ and it’s four walls, nothing else, not even a roof.

“Then there’s the environment. I’ve gone from living in 50C in a metal container to being in the heaviest rainstorms I’ve ever seen in my life.

“In the past few weeks, a member of staff has had their child unconscious with malaria. Another has been bitten by a scorpion and was taken overnight to hospital.”

Anna added: “It can make it tricky coming back to Scotland and hearing what people moan about.

“I remember my mum trying to put away a roast chicken and complaining wasn’t enough space in the fridge. I kind of exploded at her saying, ‘ You’re actually complaining you have too much food?’

“But I try not to be that person that goes on a night out and says, ‘Do you realise this gin and tonic costs as much as someone’s dai ly wage?’ because I’ll end up with no friends.”

International Development Secreta r y Anne- Ma r ie Trevelyan said: “UK aid is saving and transforming lives in South Sudan thanks to support from incredible people like Anna. We are providing emergency aid, as well as helping to deliver healthcare and education.

“I’m so proud of those like Anna who are taking on huge personal risk to help make a difference in the country, working alongside British aid workers and our military personnel.

“South Sudan’s leaders have an opportunity in coming weeks to show their people peace is the best solution and help build a strong democracy.”

I’m so proud of those like Anna