With an enthusiasm for volunteering and a mission to serve underprivileged around the world, Sadahito Goto quit the corporate world to serve humanity. Although the Japanese volunteer had always dreamed of becoming a successful professional and spending a lavish life, he opted to volunteer for a cause.

"Volunteerism is a spirit that drives you to help other people in need. I think everyone has this spirit," says Sadahito, who is the new web manager for UNV Philippines.

The 30-year-old, fondly called "Sada", had quite a successful stint working for a private Japanese company where he honed up his skills and got experience. But there was a volunteer hidden in Sadahito which led him into the satisfying world of volunteering.

It was Satoko Kitahara's spirit and passion of volunteering which inspired Sadahito. Despite being wealthy and well-educated Japanese, Satoko devoted last seven years of her life to volunteering. She lived among Ant People, a self-sufficient community, teaching their children, demanding for shared provisions before dying of Tuberculosis at the age of 29.

"Initially, I thought I am not motivated enough to volunteer. But then I read about Satoko Kitahara and she made me realize that it is not enough to give donations. Rather it is better to work with underprivileged to help them overcome their problems and miseries," says Sadahito.

Having a burning desire to serve humanity, Sadahito quit his job to join Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to work as a volunteer for Philippine National Volunteering Service Agency (PNVSCA) as a computer engineer.

"When I joined PNVSCA, they didn't have competent computer engineer. So initially, I volunteered to work as a computer engineer before training some staff about the basics of web designing. And finally one of them became competent enough to replace me," said Sadahito.

Sadahito now finds volunteering spiritually more satisfying rather than working for some corporate firm for monetary benefits.

"To be honest, now I want to do more volunteer work and share my skills as a computer engineer. I think this is what I want to do for developing countries."

The computer professional believes that since Internet has always been his passion, he would like to continue to share his knowledge and expertise with developing countries and inspiring others to become a volunteer.

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Interviewed and written by Caren Mercado, UNV Communications Intern
Edited by Shazad Ali, Online Volunteer