Filipina’s Dh1 million raffle win makes big difference for her family at home
A woman from the Philippines who sent almost all of her salary home to support her family won Dh1 million ($272,300) in a raffle.
Nina Elmina Sanchez, 32, entered the draw at Al Ansari Exchange after wiring Dh186 to her father.
The company’s reward programme allowed customers to enter a draw to win the jackpot, luxury cars and other prizes.
Ms Sanchez, who moved to Dubai a year ago to work as a hotel receptionist, said the prize money would improve her relatives’ lives.
She earns about Dh2,000 a month and supports her 12-year-old son and her parents in the Philippines.
“There were times when I sent nearly all of my salary back home,” Ms Sanchez told The National.
“I wouldn’t have any money left and would rely on my sister and cousin here to help me. But, now everything is going to change.
“It still feels like a dream – I cannot believe it.
“Sometimes, I would have to sleep hungry, but my family and friends here really did help me.”
Ms Sanchez was at work when she learnt that she won the raffle, but she suspected it was a prank.
Ms Sanchez will put part of the funds into savings for her son’s education.
Last week, an Indian in Oman struck lucky with a Dh20m jackpot from Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket raffle.
He split the prize with seven colleagues, with each receiving Dh2.5m.
Abdussalam N V, 28, will use his slice of the win to support charity, save for his children’s education and expand his business.
The windfall is the latest good news for Abdussalam, whose wife recently had a child. He has yet to see his son because his wife travelled back to India for the birth, but he is eager to meet him.
Abdussalam was in danger of missing out on his win when organisers were unable to contact him. He provided two incorrect phone numbers when buying his raffle ticket.
Organisers appealed for help and he was declared the winner on January 3 after colleagues saw the plea.