House help wins brand new car in Sh50 church raffle

 

Father in charge at Consolata Shrine, Daniel Bertea congratulates Sheila Indasi after she emerged the winner of a Renault KWID.

A house help who donated Sh50 to a church is the lucky winner of a brand new car worth Sh1.3 million.

Sheila Indasi, 21, from Kinoo estate, was tongue-tied when she was named the winner of a Renault KWID after participating in the church raffle. For days, she was too excited to tell anyone about the win.

"I am so happy. I am so excited. It is like a dream falling right into your hands and you do not know what to do," said Ms Indasi as she struggled to suppress a smile.

She recounted the day's events before and after she received the call that she describes as "miraculous".

She had just sent some money to her parents who live in Kakamega County with her six older siblings and was left with Sh59 on her phone. But she could not decide how to use the money.

"I was debating how I should use the Sh59 balance. I needed to pay my 'okoa jahazi' debt. But I do not understand the conviction to donate that kept coming to my mind," she said.

She had heard about a raffle involving the Consolata Shrine on the radio.

The church was raising funds for the construction of the Allamano Centre, a project intended to help grow the community.

The raffle promised anyone who donated a chance to win amazing prizes.

Remaining cash

After agonising over how to use the remaining cash, the house help settled on sending Sh50 to the church.

Two days later, she received a call from a woman who introduced herself only as Hellen, who informed her that she had won a car - a Renault KWID.

"I did not believe her; I thought she was a con. I kept calling her back, posing the same question differently," she said.

When Hellen maintained that she had indeed won a car, Indasi sought assistance from a friend, who advised her to call the number and insist on going to see the vehicle. Her request was accepted.

"My boss gave me permission and I quickly left for Consolata Shrine to see the car; it was there. A red brand new car," she said.

Her employers, Caroline and Joseph Mugo, said no one deserved the win more than Indasi, who they described as "very calm".