PRIVATE Stacey Smith from Mitcheldean is currently in Kenya attending to the medical needs of Army Royal Engineers.
The troops have been deployed to Africa to repair vital infrastructure.
As a Combat Medic Tech, Class 1, Stacey is the only on-site medic for 30 Royal Engineers rebuilding a dilapidated bridge in the isolated Laikipia plateau of central Kenya.
The only bridge over a major causeway, it is invaluable to the region, but heavy usage had left it with large ruts and holes only able to carry one four-tonne vehicle at a time.
A newly built Bailey bridge will take weights of up to 30 tonnes.
Repair and construction of bridges is considered the bread and butter of Royal Engineers, but work could not proceed without a medic to ensure their safety.
What makes this project particular challenging is that the Engineers are working in equatorial temperatures of 40 plus degrees, and are having to keep the bridge open to traffic as they completely rebuilding its decking and surface.
"I need to be onsite so that if anyone is injured they can be treated straight away, and evacuated if needed, as well ensure the guys' basic wellbeing," says Stacey, 24, of 22 Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Stacey is usually based in Aldershot, but has been attached to 53 Field Squadron (Air Support), Royal Engineers for their 14 week deployment to Kenya.
"We've had no incidents here, just insect bites and sunburn, but I have a lot of supplies mainly for trauma, as there are a lot of power tools on the site. We also have 'sick parade' at 6.30am every morning when the guys can come to the med centre if they have anything wrong."
There is also the added benefit of the scenery.
"I've seen a hippo, well actually I almost walked into it. I'm getting paid to do this, and it is enjoyable. People pay a lot of money to go on a safari," she said.
Stacey, who returns to the UK in May, attended Lakers School before joining the Army in 2003. Her mother still lives in Mitcheldean.