Mitch Albom

Let's take a short break.

If you're just joining us, my guest is writer Mitch Albom.

We're talking about his new novel, Twice, and his remarkable career writing about the questions that define us, how to live well, love fully, and face the choices and second chances that shape our lives.

We'll be right back after a break.

This is Fresh Air.

You know, you spoke earlier about your soft spot for children, for young people.

There's this work you're doing in Haiti.

You have been operating an orphanage there for like 15 years.

How did Haiti, of all places, become part of your life?

I mean, but I don't want to understate this because, I mean, like this is like a – it's a core part of your life and what you do.

In the same way that you were going every Tuesday to see Maury, you go to Haiti on a regular basis.

You're flying back and forth all the time.

There's a lot that's happening in Haiti right now.

There's a lot of gang violence that's happening.

Just this past summer, the Trump administration –

terminated this temporary protected status for Haiti.

Is this right that you have like 24 security guards to protect the orphanage from gangs at any given time?

And how often are you doing that?

That has to be frustrating.

I mean, I'm using the term frustrating, but I mean, it's got to be something even bigger, a bigger feeling or sentiment that you feel at this point.