EPHRAIM GERGIS

Ephraim Gergis is Egyptian, 24 years old. He is a German University graduate in Cairo - Faculty of Pharmacy 2016. He currently studies 2 master’s programs: 1- Management and Organizational Leadership. 2- Theology. He is currently establishing his private business offering Transcription, Translation and Subtitling services in addition to being a freelancer Healthcare Marketing Researcher since he is a Pharmacist. Ephraim speaks Arabic and English fluently, in addition to having a B1 certificate in German language. He also has a successful volunteering leading position in YMCA – Egypt (YMCA is the oldest and the largest young organization in the world).

“If your dreams don’t frighten you, they are not big enough”

Q: TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO YOUR LIFE'S STORY!

My country is Egypt. It is in between Africa & Asia. I am a 25-year old man who values relationships and his life story can be divided (segmented) among certain levels of relationships. I live in Cairo, studied Pharmacy, and I currently work as a freelancer and becoming an entrepreneur, in addition to almost finishing 2 master's programs.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY? AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF A BETTER WORLD?

I see that the world as a whole is lacking true love, because it is man-centered. A better world is a world Godly-centered and discovers the true love of Jesus Christ. With Jesus Christ, the world can be better.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN YOUR SOCIETY?

Terrorism, illiteracy, increase in inflation, poverty, circumcision of females, education system, corruption and many other challenges with different levels.

Q: AS A YOUNG INDIVIDUAL WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HURDLES THAT YOU HAD TO OVERCOME UP UNTIL TODAY?

- Bureaucracy I face in what I want to achieve. - The increase in inflation that doubles and triples prices. - Some hard relationships that either challenge me in my professional career or some toxic relationships that I have to deal with in my personal life.

Q: WHY IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

The mentor is important for me because she is a person with whom I think in a loud voice, she also shares her insights with me in addition to organizing some ideas and priorities with me.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A LESSON THAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Yes, 5 years ago, I was naive in relationships and I used to fall in co-dependent relationships easily, but through some lessons in life and entering some hard relationships, I became wiser in terms of keeping boundaries and protecting my personal space.

Q: NAME A PROJECT, A FOUNDATION OR A PERSON IN YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU THINK IS DOING GREAT WORK IN HELPING IMPROVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!

My leader in a Christian organization. "Rafik Barsoum".

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTRY FACE AND WHAT EFFORTS ARE MADE TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY?

Women face a lot of harassment in my country in addition to a lack of trust in their abilities. Efforts are some laws pro women, increasing a quota for female parliamentarians and ministers.

Q: ATHENA40 IS THE FIRST EVER GLOBAL SELECTION OF THE TOP 40 WOMEN FORWARD THINKERS, COMMENTATORS, ACTIVISTS, AUTHORS, ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES, INNOVATORS. CAN YOU THINK OF A TRULY INNOVATIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING WOMAN FROM YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU WISH TO NOMINATE FOR THE ATHENA40 GLOBAL LIST?

My sister. "Nardeen Gergis".

Q: SHARE WITH US A PHRASE, A POEM OR A STORY THAT YOU LOVE OR YOU FIND INTERESTING!

If your dreams don't frighten you, this means they are not big enough.

Q: TELL US ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MENTOR.

I learned from her to be happy from current achievements and not to be worried about the rate of doing achievements. She also shared with me some insights about organizing my time better.