Content Warning: The source material and this guide include extensive discussion of terminal illness in a child.

Haiti has a unique and rich culture with a long, complex history. Haiti gained independence from French colonialism in 1804 and was the second country in the Americas to achieve independence from a European nation, following only the United States. Prior to independence, most Haitians were enslaved people. Haitian Creole, a dialect of French, developed through the colonial period and continues to be the country’s primary language.

In the 20th century, Haiti experienced numerous significant periods of political and economic upheaval, including US occupation from 1915 to 1934. Since then, Haiti has continued to experience political instability, though Albom describes the Haitian people as full of hope and the country as “a place of beauty and laughter and unshakable faith” (10). Haitian culture strongly emphasizes religion and community, as well as music and food. Albom describes the Haitian children at the mission as joyful and resilient, connecting them to the book’s theme of The Wonder of Childhood, and their enduring love for Chika illustrates the theme of Parenting and Familial Bonds.

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, followed by over 50 smaller earthquakes, killing over 200,000 people.