A DORSET-born midwife has given a glimpse into what life is like bringing up three little children in one of the world's most war-torn capitals.

Anna Youren, from Bournemouth, lives in Juba in the Sudan with Nathanael, 6, Talitha, 3, and baby Faith,17 months.

She and her husband, Alistair, who is a bush pilot flying aid, humanitarian staff and lifesaving cargo for teh Mission Aviation Fellowship to some of the remotest parts of the country, moved to Juba in 2018 when their youngest daughter was just a few months old.

The Youren family, who are part of a missionary church in Ferndown, live on a secure compound to the west of the city, but wake up every morning to the sight of huts housing refugees the other side of their wall. They share a water supply from a borehole with these families, who have settled close to the safety of Juba’s UN Camp, which is just down the road.

Speaking about life in Juba, Anna said: "The first time we went food shopping, we were surrounded, people were taking pictures and asking to touch the children's hair. I had to explain to the kids there was no reason to freak out – locals were just so excited to see us. Some people from the NGO community raise their eyebrows that we brought our family here. But we are so sure this is where we are meant to be."

She said that whilst the situation in Juba has been relatively stable for the past year, South Sudan remains far from peaceful. Civil war has ravaged the country since 2013, claiming the lives of over 400,000 and displacing more than four million people.

"Because so many South Sudanese families have fled, surprisingly few children are seen in and around the city," she said. "Most have relocated to vast refugee settlements in neighbouring Uganda and Kenya. NGO staff living in Juba are often single and live in the city short-term to deliver aid to field projects."

She said the school run is an eight-mile round trip but can take well over an hour because they can be stopped by traffic, torrential rain, potholes and armed police. "The police looked intimidating at first. But now they stop me every day just to say hello to the children. They’ve got to know us. They’re quite friendly really, but I always say a quick prayer when they pull me over."

Despite the regional difficulties the family tries to maintain some of their British habits, like

making their own pizzas for weekend film nights. "This does rely on someone remembering to start downloading the film 24 hours beforehand," said Anna.