There are people who come to the DR to serve in various projects in orphanages and schools. Both secular and religious organizaitons send thousands of people. Last year my wife and I worked with over 1000 university youth. Read our blog relating the experiences of people who come here to help and find themselves more changed than the people they came to serve. www.dr1.com/?u=barhanna. It is a feature of Dominican life that has both pros and cons.