Jinsoon Lim is a 30 year old Korean national who came to the Philippines in 2003 with a passion for agriculture and a determination to work with the United Nations. He was first assigned to Ilocos Norte as a Horticulturist volunteer for the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) where he gained experience in post-harvest technology and orchid mass production.

Motivated by his goal to be part of the United Nations system, he decided to become a UNV Volunteer. With the help of his passion for arts, Jinsoon organized activities such as fundraising concerts to help street children in the Philippines. But it was not only the Filipino children who benefited from these concerts; Korean performers with physical disabilities were given the opportunity to express their talents despite their challenges.

Though he finds it hard to be apart from his family during assignments, he still considers it very rewarding to work for the United Nations system and to help other people. Leaving people and being apart from his family is always the hardest decision he has to make, but rather than think about distances and loss, he thinks about what he gains: the lessons, opportunities, friends and knowledge.

'It is a kind of commitment to God; it is my own concept of volunteerism, to help people with expecting nothing in return,' Jinsoon says. He is a Christian and has served as a volunteer in countries like Turkey, Russia, Hawaii, Switzerland and Philippines.

He enjoys experiencing and knowing people with varying orientations and cultures through his assignments. 'It is so exciting to experience different kinds of nationalities,' he shares. Jinsoon considers volunteering to be an act that makes him feel satisfied and like a complete human being.

This young volunteer dreams of studying in the United States. He sees his passion for agriculture and his experience as a volunteer and United Nations volunteer as an asset in the pursuit of his career and his dreams. 'I know that this would give me more opportunity and help me move forward and work toward my dreams of becoming an International Public Employee.'

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Interviewed and written by Francheska Garcia, UNV Communications Intern
Editted by Louise Pine, Online Volunteer