Between al-Qūṣiyya, Upper Egypt, and the Monastery of The Holy Virgin Mary or Dayr al-Muḥarraq, in the governorate of Asyut, lies the predominantly Christian village of al-Saraqnā. The village of around 10,000 inhabitants is peaceful but yet overpopulation creates a tremendous strain on the limited resources of the village, forcing people to seek work outside the village. This interview was conducted on April 10, 2015 but placed online on July 24, 2016 in preparation for a visit of student interns to al-Saraqnā on July 29-30, 2016.