Ivan and Arindam

Christmas 2010 through 2011

"In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness."

Reply from Ivan Nakibinge, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Ivan Nakibinge to Arindam Jurakhan

Hello Arindam,

The card we got from you through Tim was so telling and nice to look at. We printed copies and place each copy in each school class. Indeed you must be having busy time during that time as a lot of buying is being done. I think you came out that season with great smile and not worn out. Caroling is usually done at churches and hotels in our community. Many people turn up to the carols. Holding that Christmas fair I trust enabled the less fortunate to enjoy Christmas too. Thanks for the task with good intentions. We are planning for a youth convention for Christian youth that are school going. Our leaders are still planning for it and details will be sent to you maybe through Tim.

Enjoy your cheerful time,

Ivan

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

April 2011

Dear Ivan,

It makes me very glad to hear that you enjoyed our cards so much. I am very busy mostly because of schoolwork but I did have a nice holiday and I hope you did as well. It is also nice to hear that caroling is popular because it inspires hope and joy in many people. I wish you good luck with your youth convention and I will definitely ask Tim for the details.

Your friend,

Arindam

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Ivan Nakibinge. I am 14 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live with my parents, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, our cattle and our goats. Yes, we have a large family and yet I am lucky ... I have my own room. Many of my friends share their room.

My chores include: fetching water, cleaning the home, gardening and washing clothes.

I am in the seventh grade and live at a boarding school. The school is three miles from home - not far. I have an additional chore while in school ... helping to clean the compound.

My favorite activities are sports, particularly soccer. I attend church regularly with my family and my favorite hymn is "Bikira Maria". I hope to be a plumber when I grow up.

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

"Dear Ivan ... Hi, my name is Arindam and I am in the 9th grade. I think it is amazing that you are devoted enough to walk three miles to school. You should never give up on your dreams, when times are hard, push yourself and give 100%.

What I like at Youth Group is our 30 Hour Famine and working with Hope for the Future. They are great charitable organizations and I feel like I am making a difference in the world.

Frank, Vito, Dennis, Arindam, Mike

I attend church regularly but not the church sponsoring the Youth Group. My favorite hymn is Amazing Grace.

I wish you good luck on your journey."

[The Thirty Hour Famine raises money for World Vision which reaches out to the poorest of the poor around the world. At Hope for the Future we prepare for an on-the-street revival meeting by distributing a hot meal - note: served on the streets of New York City.]

Reply from Ivan Nakibinge, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Hullo Arindam Jurakhan,

Choosing to be bible pals is very nice to me. My dad is Michael and my mom is Teopista. Both Parents are living .They are both gardeners. Making new friends is what I learn from meeting others. Am living with my grand ma.

Social studies and science are my favorite subjects in class.

Your friend, Ivan

Comment and Challenge from Lindsay Ullmann, United Kingdom

Hi ... my name is Lindsay Ullmann. I started to write poetry when I was your age and it helped me to learn more about myself as a person. I grew to understand that I had to search to just find myself . I am in my 20's and now am a professional songwriter and singer. So if we turn our thoughts around into something positive we can accomplish almost anything - through creativity and spirituality.

Ivan or Arindam, do you feel that you have had a wake up call in life like I had through poetry, when I was your age? If so, would you care to share? Would you agree that creativity and spirituality can help us and also those around us?

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Ivan,

I only have one sister and her name is Avani. It must be fun having a large family. I think it is very cool that you have your own room. I have my own room and my sister is always trying to come in to bother me.

I am learning to skateboard. I am getting the hang of it but I still fall down a lot. I go every Saturday to classes. Do you have a best friend? Tell me about him. My grandfather is in the hospital right now. He was very sick but he is getting better. I think prayer helped me through times of worry.

Our youth group takes some time off in the summer with only a mountain hike scheduled for August 7th. Then we start our weekly Sunday night meetings in September.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Arindam

Reply from Ivan Nakibinge, Sounds of Hope Youth Group, Uganda

Arindam,

I hope you doing well and your health is good. How is Avani? Is Avani in school? Which grade? In my room I get time to think of my future without disturbances and I also keep my things safely as no body can check out from time to time. Privacy is very important for every body though some can’t afford it. I do have a best friend called Frank Mubiru.He is funny, strong and God loving. But he is abit sturborn. How is your grandfather doing? Is he getting better? Let us pray for healing to him and for you to get rid of the worries.

We usually meet during holidays as a youth group when all other youth have come back from their respective schools.

Yours in hope,

Ivan

Reply from Arindam Jurakhan, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Dear Ivan,

I am well and I hope you are too. Avani is well and she is in the 6th grade. I enjoy privacy as well. I also have a best friend who is funny but stubborn, his name is Nikhil. How are your studies going? What are your favorite subjects? Thank you for praying for my grandfather, he is getting better but he is still sick. I always pray for you to progress in life and I wish to hear from you soon.

Your Friend,

Arindam

Would you like to write to Ivan, Arindam or Lindsay ? Send a note to Timferguson@christianyouthgroup.org and it will be included on this webpage. Ivan, Arindam and Lindsay will be notified that you have written.