Mitch Albom's Haiti orphanage, a small oasis for children inside a gang-controlled city

In a city plagued by gang violence and corruption, author Mitch Albom dedicates himself to protecting vulnerable children in Haiti. Sixteen years after a catastrophic earthquake that claimed 200,000 lives and displaced over a million, the government's grip on power is all but lost, and rival gangs vie for control of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

However, amidst this desolation, a glimmer of hope exists within the walls of an orphanage called Have Faith Haiti. Founded and managed by Albom and his wife Janine, the institution shelters at-risk children who have endured unimaginable hardships. Since the earthquake, the Alboms have been providing care for abandoned infants, children with disabilities, and those begging on the streets.

Albom's journey to Haiti involves a perilous two-hour flight from Florida to the northern city of Cap-Haïtien, followed by a helicopter ride to reach Port-au-Prince. Upon arrival, he is met by heavily-armed guards and driven in bulletproof vehicles to the orphanage, which is surrounded by treacherous concrete walls, barbed wire, and guard towers.

Inside the compound, Albom encounters a vibrant community of 63 children and over 50 teachers and staff. The children, ranging from infants to teenagers, have been shielded from the outside world for over four years, playing, doing chores, attending church, and receiving an education. They are taught in both French and English, with the goal of preparing them for college.

Despite the dire circumstances, Albom refuses to use aptitude tests for admission, focusing instead on providing love, food, and prayer. He admits that most of the children brought to the orphanage have lost their parents or face dire conditions at home. Albom's commitment to this cause is unwavering, as he believes that every child deserves the opportunity to envision a future and believes that with love and support, miracles can occur.