Here’s what the five out of the 10 winners for the $51,000 vaccine lottery cash draw say about what they will do with their winnings.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama conducted the draw at the Suvavou House yesterday as part of the Fiji Day celebrations and an initiative to boost Fiji’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Each winners received $5100.

Nikita Natasha Lal, 26, who resides in Nakasi and is unemployed due to her health said her cousin called her when the Prime Minister made the announcement and her name was announced.

“This win means a lot to me. I live with my parents, and we survive on the social welfare money that my dad gets every month. I am sickly, so I can’t work,” the emotional Ms Lal said.

Manava Tigarea

Taking part in any lottery, Manava Tigarea says this was the first time he won one.

“I was watching the Prime Minister’s announcement and when my full name was called, I couldn’t believe it. I am thankful because I have been unemployed,” the 28-year-old said.

“I got vaccinated because I wanted everything to get back to normal. This is a time where we all need to work together.”

Reshmi Maharaj

Reshmi Maharaj was at her Valelevu home when her father called to inform her that she was one of the 10 winners.

Ms Maharaj said she never expected to win.

“I decided to get vaccinated because I wanted to protect my family from COVID. I am a stay-at-home mum, and the money will help my family.”

Jone Roland

Jone Roland was watching a boxing match yesterday afternoon when his friends messaged to congratulate him on his win.

Mr Roland said he thought his friends were fooling around. But he later found out that he had won when he received a text message.

Being the only breadwinner for his family, he said he got vaccinated to protect his family.

Riayana Khatoon

Riayana Khatoon, 49, said she had been praying for the win.

Ms Khatoon said her daughter was getting married next month and she had applied for a bank loan which was unsuccessful.

“I was watching when the Prime Minister was announcing the names and I was hoping that he would announce my name and when he did, I cried because God knew there was no one else I could turn to, to help in my daughter’s wedding,” she said.

“Thank you to the Government for thinking about Fijians and helping us during this tough time.”

The 10 winners are: Avenai Koroiravula, Nikita Natasha Lal, Mankuari, Riayana Khatoon, Vinay Prasad, Ritesh Kumar, Manava Tigarea, Reshmi Joytika Maharaj, Jone Roland and Eremasi Naraga. 

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu 

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