Charcoal seller wins LE350M house

Friday 7th December 2007 marked the end of the Win. A House promotion that began on 3rd September 2007 with a middle aged woman capturing the coveted prize of a Le350 million house.

Amidst much excitement, comic relief and musical performances the grand draw kicked off at the Lumley Beach Car Park with hundreds of guests anxiously waiting for the big draw.

In his statement Managing Director Ted Sauti Phiri said Celtel is a platform for people to achieve their life time dreams. He said apart from the grand prize of a Le350million house his company has spent over Le150million in prizes for the weekly and monthly draws. He disclosed that Celtel has the largest subscriber base and is the biggest telecommunications investor to date in the country. The Managing Director said Celtel is helping government achieve the endeavours of citizens by providing permanent accommodation for them. 'Celtel is renowned for its commitment to the community,' Ted said.

Before the draw for the house several consolation prizes were won. Bokarie Momoh Foe with mobile number 076 608 436 was the lucky winner of a DSTV set with three months paid subscription. Mohamed Sesay with mobile number 076 207 642 won a brand new generator while Letricia Larga whose mobile number is 076 811 827 won a brand new motor bike. None could hide their excitement and thrill when they came to collect their prizes.

Just before midnight Master of Ceremonies, Abu Bakarr Kanu of Radio Kalleone signaled for the grand draw of a Le350million house. The silence was deafening until mobile number 076 259 014 popped up and there were gasps and claps. Zainab Mansaray, a 47 years old woman of 7 Pump Line, Signal Hill Road Freetown and a charcoal seller emerged as the luckiest winner when she picked up her phone and identified herself over the line. When she turned up at the venue she said she could not believe that she was forever saying good bye to poverty. She confessed that all her life she has been a tenant and living as a charcoal seller. She said: "I slept and woke up Friday morning never for once dreaming I will win a house. In fact, in all my life I have never heard nor even seen money worth Le350 million! All I can say is ‘thanks to God for delivering me from poverty' ".

Madam Zainab Mansaray recounted how that very Friday evening she used her only Le8000 to buy top-up of Le7,500 and with nothing left for the next day to care for her children. She said she frequently topped-up her phone in order to stay in touch with her charcoal suppliers who could only be reached with the Celtel network. 'If you want to be a lucky winner like myself, join Celtel; Celtel will change your life,' Madam Zainab exclaimed.

Managing Director Ted Sauti Phiri congratulated her and said God has chosen her to win the Celtel grand prize of Le350 million.