Haiti

Haiti is the country where Chika was born and where the orphanage that Albom runs is located. There was a massive earthquake in Haiti just a few days after Chika was born. It was that earthquake that got Albom interested in Haiti. He began visiting that country to help residents recover from the damage. Then, he agreed to take over the orphanage. Albom originally met Chika at the orphanage in Haiti. Even though Albom brought Chika to America for treatments, she was buried in Haiti.

Brain Tumor

The brain tumor is a symbol of a loss of control. Albom began his journey with Chika believing that the tumor would be curable. It was only after Chika’s original surgery in which the doctor was able to remove only 10 percent of the tumor that Albom began to realize that Chika’s tumor was something over which he had...