A single mum from the Philippines who used to send almost all of her salary back home to support her family won Dh1 million.
Nina Elmina Sanchez, 32, entered a raffle draw by Al Ansari Exchange after wiring Dh186 to her elderly father.
The reward programme allows customers who are sending money back home 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 will significantly improve their lives.
She earns about Dh2,000 a month and supports her 12-year-old son and her parents, who live in the Philippines and rely on her income.
"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 did really help me.”
Ms Sanchez was at work when she received the call that she had won, but thought it was a prank call.
She was announced as the winner in a live stream on Tuesday.
Ms Sanchez will put part of the funds in savings to secure her son’s education.
Winner of Abu Dhabi’s Dh20 million jackpot to share fortune with colleagues
Last week, an Indian man in Oman struck lucky with a Dh20 million jackpot from Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket raffle.
He is splitting the prize with seven of his colleagues, with each receiving Dh2.5 million.
Abdussalam NV, 28, will use his slice of the big-money haul to support charity, save for his children’s education and expand his business.
The windfall is just the latest good news for Mr NV, whose wife recently gave birth. He has yet to see his new son because his wife travelled to India for the delivery, but is eager to meet him.
The family man was in danger of missing out on his dream win when organisers were unable to contact him. Mr NV had provided two incorrect phone numbers when buying the raffle ticket.
Its organisers appealed for help and he was declared the winner on January 3 after colleagues spotted the plea.
Gallery: How would you spend Dh20m?
Company%20profile
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.