Christian ministry leader "Mama Maggie" Gobran has been nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize by several members of the United States Congress for her selfless work offering aid and assistance to the impoverished people of Cairo's garbage slums.

Congressmen Frank Wolf, Bill Huizenga, Joseph Pitts, Robert Aderholt, and John Carter all signed a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee Council urging council members to consider "Mama Maggie" for the prestigious award. The deadline for nominations closed on Wednesday of last week.

Gobran is the founder of Stephen's Children, a ministry based in Cairo dedicated to helping families living in Cairo's garbage slums, providing assistance to both Christian and Muslim children, and helping impoverished rural communities in Upper Egypt. She is referred to by locals as "Mama Maggie" and has been dubbed the "Mother Teresa of Cairo."

Gobran herself is a Coptic Christian who grew up in a middle class family in Cairo – sheltered from the city's vast poverty and festering slums. Prior to finding her calling and devoting her life to the disadvantaged families of her native Egypt, Gobran was a successful marketing manager and distinguished computer science professor at the American University of Cairo.

Gobran's path changed following a visit to Cario's slums where she was shocked to find children and families living in squalor and destitution. She said the experience made her question God until she realized her own calling to help those in need.

"You know, we don't choose where to be born, but we do choose either to be sinners or saints. To be nobody, or the heroes. If you want to be a hero, do what God wants you to do," the inspirational leader said this past August at the 2011 Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit.

At the summit the humble woman shared with the audience the story of her life and transition into becoming a charitable leader saying, "true love is to give and forgive, to give until it hurts."

CP