JUBA, Sudan - Brenda MacGregor has few indulgences, but sitting on the fan-cooled patio at Longali House in Juba, she sips her Diet Pepsi and is in heaven.
MacGregor, originally a Prince Albert police officer, is working as a security advisor for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Southern Sudan.
"There is not one bit of it that isn't a challenge," she said.
From organizing medical evacuations for the WFP staff to freeing hostages, there isn't a moment that doesn't involve problem solving.
And she loves it.
"I really enjoy it but I know it's not for everyone."
Prince Albert provided her with a good foundation for the work she does now, she said. It was work with the Prince Albert City Police where she learned to talk to everyone and treat people equally.
"Police work in Prince Albert is all about problem solving," MacGregor said.
While she travels and works all over the world, she still makes it back to Prince Albert to visit and is looking forward to a trip home later this summer.
There is a common question for all people who are involved with aid and relief work - are they a missionary, mercenary or misfit?
MacGregor is a self-proclaimed mercenary, in the sense she is doing her work for the money.
"It's easier when you have a cause to believe in, but I'm here for my own cause," she said.
The work she does, with danger pay, has led her to have a lifestyle that she likes. Every six weeks, she is given seven days off for rest and recuperation.
Heading into those seven days off, MacGregor said she really needs it as sometimes she is so burned out she can hardly climb onto the plane. But she's always ready to go again after the rest.
Sudan has been home to MacGregor for the past four years and she thinks she'll spend about another year in the south of the country before looking for a new adventure. She's thinking about Somalia.
"The only place I don't want is Afghanistan because I don't want to be cold again," MacGregor said, and laughed.
While she may think she does the work for money, MacGregor understands the importance of the work the WFP is doing at the 800,000 feed programs in her region of Southern Sudan and northwestern Kenya.
"If you've ever been a part of seeing someone die of hunger, you just can't turn your back," she said.
Food shortages and the economic downturn had a negative effect on the World Food Programme.
MacGregor has seen a reduction in programs they can offer - only relief food is available now. The food for education and work programs are on hold.
"Good luck getting kids to come to school if they are hungry," she said.
MacGregor said she sees people who will walk for miles to pick up the food that will sustain them and their families.
"You know when they walk up to you, you are giving them life," she said.
"It's like National Geographic (images), there is nothing ... they have nothing at all."
