Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family

“What we carry defines who we areAnd the effort we make is our legacy” Mitch AlbomFinding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albomis an emotional, moving story of love and loss.Chika Jeune was born three days after Haiti’s devastating earthquake of 2010. Her extremely poor family was dealt another tragedy when Chika’s mother died giving birth to another child. Chika, three, was brought to the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage that Albom operates in Port Au Prince.When Chika was five years old, she developed a weakness in one leg and a droopy eyelid that was later diagnosed as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, DIPG, which had already advanced to grade 4. There was no help for her in Haiti. Janine and Mitch Albom, in their late fifties and with no children of their own, brought Chika to their home in Michigan, hoping to find a cure for the little girl. They took her to C. S. MOTT Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they performed surgery on Chika’s brain. They were able to remove only ten percent of the invading tissue because the mass involved too much of the brain. The mass was somewhat diminished by radiation, but subsequent treatments were ineffective. Twice they took her to Cologne, Germany, but the treatment received wasn’t a lasting one. In the meantime, the little girl became a cherished member of the Albom household with her bravery, self-assurance and wonderful sense of humor.Finding Chika is yet another of Mitch Albom’s impressive, heartrending work. He tells his story in hindsight, and through imagined conversations with Chika herself. The memoir shows how dedication and love can bring unimagined blessings. This would be a good audio book—it was sometimes hard to read through tears.

There are no words to adequately describe this beautiful story. Depending on the reader's experiences, their reactions need to be their own. I will not summarize it here because you must come fresh to this heartfelt story of a child.

I read this book in one Sunday afternoon and could not put it down. This is unlike any other book Mitch has written, and it is a true testament to the hearts of Mitch and Janine Albom. More importantly a story of one little girl who brightened my own heart and broke it at the same time. Chika was a light in this world for far too short a time. It was to me and my faith a masterpiece of hope, faith and love as well unanswered pleas, sadness and loss. The joy and mixed sorrow is part of life this side of heaven and Mitch shows us his best self through this book. You are a true father and Janine a true mother. It is no wonder to me that Tuesdays with Morrie and Finding Chika are now a permanent part of my library. You, Mr. Album are a what it means to be a real human being. If you haven't read this, you are missing a true story of a precious little girl, and the many people touched by her, and an expose of a married couple who loved her. I am moved by emotions I forgot I had. Thank you Mitch.

It was going to be the third book of Mitch that I bought after the Five People you meet in Heaven. I bought it because he was supporting kids in Haiti. One Sunday I read almost half of it and I stop by then I read all is books. This week I asked my self why I never finished this book but last night I thought about the little girl”Chika” and this morning before sunrise I went at it again until I am done. Thank you Mitch

Came in a timely manner and in excellent condition

This is the most powerful, poignant and prayerful book that I have read in many, many years. I laughed and yes, I cried as I journeyed with Chika and her 'new family'. Absolutely heart warming and so very sad at the same time. It will tug at all of your senses and they will be awakened...each and every one of them...throughout this book.You will see Haiti after the earthquake of 2010 completely devastated; you will see the children dancing in a rainstorm and you will hear them singing gospel songs in English and Creole; you will taste the foods that Chika loved; you will smell the air after the earthquake that is full of smoke from the burning trash; and, you will feel the touch of the all encompassing love that flowed between her 'new' family.Wise beyond her years, Chika was brave, stubborn, resilient, cheerful and full of hope who loved to have fun. She went to the Orphanage in Haiti when she was 3 years of age and shortly after that she came to the US to live with the author and his wife, Ms. Janine.This is the story of Chika and her short (but most remarkable) time on this Earth. She was diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gluoma) which is rare - about 300 cases in the US yearly. This affects mobility, as well as swallowing and the survival rate is zero after one has been diagnosed.The book is divided into seven areas and those are the lessons that the author learned. Excellent lessons that a small child taught the author. I loved the one titled 'What we Carry' as it had the quote from Chika 'your job is to carry me'...and more, so much more about her life and its lessons. And, there is humor interjected through the pages, as well. Loved it when she said 'that's my lip gloss' and 'Hmmph'A book which also covers spirituality and what truly matters when you know you are dying.. A quote from Proverbs is mentioned 'Surely there is a future and hope will not be cut off'.As Chika was so fond of singing 'The Sun will come out tomorrow', we should all rejoice in her short life and her innate ability to smile despite her sickness, to teach others valuable lessons and above all, live for today....there is no guarantee of a tomorrow.A truly magnificent book and one which I am sure I will read over and over again.Most highly recommended.. .I feel so privileged to have met Chika though the eyes of this author....

Thank you , Mitch, for keeping Chika, alive in our hearts. When I read of her singing "I'm no longer a slave to fear" I wept for that is my daughter's song ( Melissa Helser). How blessed I am that the song freed her from the fears she was facing, but also imprinted on her heart that she belonged to her heavenly Father. I shall never forget sweet Chika and look forward to seeing her sweet face one day in heaven! My heart is full of gratitude to you and Janine for loving her so fully!

Another best seller by Mitch Albom. Moving beautiful story.

Very disappointed on how they cut the side of the book, I bought it €9…. but the story of the book was really good and nice story.

Das Buch ist absolut herzzerreissend und toll geschrieben. Mit ehrlichen Worten wird beschrieben, dass es in den Armutsländern auch Herzmomente gibt und das war sehr schön zu lesen als wäre man live dabei!

The book is full of emotions, happiness, family bonding, touching, and yes tearsMitch and Janine are such a wonderful parents, they are so kind. Whatever they did for Chika were the bests!“The most precious thing you can give someone is your time, Chika, because you can never get it back. When you don’t think about getting it back, you’ve given it in love.”

The book comes in expected time but the condition is not good. The both the top and bottom at the side are torn. Really upset with it as it is a gift for my friend.