The Dominican Republic's many beaches, rivers, mountains, and valleys make it one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean. Take a drive around the country, and you will undoubtedly be taken in the quick rhythms of merengue and bachata emitting from around every corner. Look out your window, and you will see groups of people will be gathered around front porches drinking cafecitos (small coffees), sharing stories or playing dominoes. Kids will pass flying kites made of whatever they can find.

Despite the country's appearance of paradise, the country faces enormous water, electrical and infrastructure problems. Most streets outside of major urban centers are unpaved or deteriorating, and many of these same areas lack trash collection and sewage management. As the cities continue to expand, extreme
poverty is becoming increasingly worse with some areas not receiving bathing water for days or weeks at a time. Power outages happen anytime, for hours at a time, in every part of the country; and while the middle to upper classes have been able to overcome this issue with the use of generators, poorer populations still remain in the dark.

Education is optional in the Dominican Republic, and public facilities face severe funding problems. The majority of the population cannot afford the tuition for the existing private institutions.  Therefore, the majority of Dominicans rely on remittances, or money from family members living in the United States, to sustain themselves.

Despite these issues, Dominicans reflect an extraordinary ability to adapt and persevere. A popular saying, "Hoy por mi, Manana por ti" reflects an attitude that envelopes everyday Dominican life. Surviving through a strong culture of exchange, Dominicans offer up everything down to their last plantain to others. "Today for me, Tomorrow for you."

IN MARCH A SMALL TEAM WILL BE TRAVELING TO THE DR TO WORK ALONGSIDE A SCHOOL AND ASSIST IN SOME CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!