They live among the garbage, carefully treading over broken glass, through mounds of dirty diapers, around rotting food crawling with insects and vermin. They are Egypt’s “garbage pickers” --- 50,000 strong and living on the fringes of Cairo. If you can call it living. Maggie Gobran did not.

Born and raised among the economically privileged, this successful businesswoman found her calling when she volunteered to help the starving, sickly residents of the garbage slums. She had planned to visit now and then, bringing food or clothes as was customary among her fellow Coptic Christians, a minority group in a Muslim country. But the visits rocked her upscale world, changing her perspective, purpose and whole existence. Selling her jewelry and other possessions typically owned by the wealthy, Maggie became Mama Maggie, founder of the Stephen’s Children organization that grew from a handful of volunteers in 1989 to 1,500 workers and volunteers.

Twenty-six years later, this incredible organization now impacts the lives of 30,000 children by staying focused on its mission: “Stephen's Children is a Christian ministry that exists to nurture, train, and equip underprivileged children and young people morally, educationally, and spiritually --- to help save lives, bring hope, and restore dignity, so that they may reach their own people.”

"MAMA MAGGIE is, without question, a book worth reading, sharing and talking about. I think any reader would be hard-pressed to walk away unaffected by this powerful portrayal of what anyone can do when God is at the helm."

This is quite impressive, considering none of this was ever on Maggie’s radar. She was comfortable living in her beautiful house in the city with her children and affluent husband. Life was, for the most part, smooth sailing and sunny skies. She enjoyed dressing in glamorous clothes, traveling to exotic destinations and dining on fine foods. And she loved her work. As a college professor and marketing manager, Maggie used her education, God-given intelligence and determination to give her all to any task. But where the world saw a rich and beautiful member of the upper class, God saw a spiritual warrior.

She never dreamt her future would be spent among the poor, the sick and forgotten, who survive in slums that would send shivers down the spines of most Americans. But the residents of those dark alleys and crumbling shacks had captured Maggie’s heart, and they sure picked the right heart to capture. Determined and tenacious, Maggie used her affluence, marketing skills, friends, family and, mostly, her faith to start Stephen’s Children in hopes of positively impacting the lives of the slum dwellers. The organization started by building preschools, then moved on to kindergartens. Later it expanded to elementary schools, sports camps and vocational training. But with each step, Maggie and her group had to claw through outrageous amounts of red tape and government obstacles. Still, they persevered and continue to grow while changing the face of Cairo’s garbage slums.

Authors Martin Makary and Ellen Vaughn chronicle Mama Maggie’s life beautifully in this inspirational and eye-opening book, but the focus is not all on Maggie. The book is a finely painted portrait of Egypt --- its people, religious history and spirit. The same can be said for the way it depicts the residents of the garbage slums, who are tenderly highlighted with the dignity they deserve.

MAMA MAGGIE is, without question, a book worth reading, sharing and talking about. I think any reader would be hard-pressed to walk away unaffected by this powerful portrayal of what anyone can do when God is at the helm.