ON FIRST IMPRESSIONS you would think that Jenny Hobbs is just out of college and in her first year in teaching, but a few minutes into our conversation it's clear that the Bray woman has a number of years of working experience under her belt. Jenny (no relation to Eddie of RTE fame) from Glenlucan in Bray, has just begun a two-year contract working for Concern Worldwide in Liberia.

A past pupil of Loreto College in Bray, Jenny did primary school teaching at St. Pat's in Dublin and then spent three years teaching in St. Fergal's Junior School in Bray.

In 2005, she volunteered to work with Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) in Gambia where she spent two years working with the Gambian Department of Education in teacher training in Bansang. During these two years she was supported by the staff and parents of St. Fergal's back in Bray.

'When I was in secondary school, a visiting Loreto nun gave us a talk about her work with the Christina Noble Foundation in Calcutta and it was something that stuck with me. Ever since then, I have always had an interest in that type of work. And it was that first push that gave me the reason to head out to Gambia in 2005,' Jenny explains.

It was originally agreed that she would spend one year in the country but she liked the work so much, she extended her contract for a further year.

After that, she spent six weeks in Ethiopia working with the Vincentian Lay Missionaries where she worked in teacher training in a montessori school in Woleita.

In 2008, Jenny worked in Canada for the Calgary Food Bank as a fundraiser.

The Bray school teacher is just one month into her job with Concern in Liberia.

'I am the education programme coordinator in Liberia. With the move away from emergency and into development work, we are now focused on schooling and the education system.

'I am engaged in teacher training and also looking after the safety of children. Concern is playing an important role in campaigning against gender-based violence,' Jenny says.

Liberia is in a post-conflict phase and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the continent's first woman president.

'There is great hope but there are great needs and lots to be done.

'I'm looking forward to the challenge. It is amazing what a big difference a small intervention can make.

'Of course I am worried about the Irish Government's cuts to the developing world. I'm not sure our Government sees the actual impact cuts will have on our work in education.

'You know what, it is simply not fair to punish children in the classroom,' she stresses.

The Bray woman arrived in Liberia in the rainy season.

'It is a beautiful country with fabulous beaches and stunning countryside. There is a great potential for making it a strong agricultural country,' she says.

After a long 14-year civil war, people are still in the process of resettling.

Jenny is not worried about her safety and feels very secure living with Concern staff.

'Of course I miss my family and friends. Yes, my parents are a little worried about me. They send me out packages of Tayto crisps and Barry's Tea,' she smiles.

Jenny is very impressed with what Concern is doing in Liberia.

'We have just put in a solar powered water tank in a slum suburb and President Sirleaf will be coming for the official opening within the next few weeks.'

It's clear talking to Jenny that the enthusiasm and interest in development work, which was first ignited, while she was a secondary school pupil, is now being lived out in her job of work for Concern in Liberia.

- Michael COMMANE