A Refugee Won €400,000 In Spain's Christmas Lottery Days After Losing His Job

BuzzFeed - Latest 2015-12-24

Summary:

The Senegalese man, who once nearly drowned crossing into Europe, says he and his wife struggled with money.

A Senegalese refugee living in Spain, who nearly drowned when crossing the ocean into Europe in search of a better life eight years ago, won €400,000 in Spain's Christmas lottery on Tuesday.

A Senegalese refugee living in Spain, who nearly drowned when crossing the ocean into Europe in search of a better life eight years ago, won €400,000 in Spain's Christmas lottery on Tuesday.

Carlos Barba / EPA

The man – only identified by his first name, Ngame – told local media he was recently laid off from his job. He lives with his wife in Roquetas de Mar, a southern city in Spain, where they have been trying to survive by doing temporary farm work.

The couple were rescued by the Spanish coastguard eight years ago after the packed wooden boat they were traveling on from Morocco to Spain became unsafe.

"There were 65 people on that boat," Ngame told local newspaper La Voz de Almeria. "I want to give thanks to Spaniards and the Spanish government for rescuing me when I was in the sea."

The lottery says it is different to most big lotteries as it aims to share the wealth among many, not just a few big winners.

"I just can't believe this," Ngame said. "I can tell you that on some days we do not have five euros between the two of us."

Link:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalynwarren/merry-christmas-here-is-a-nice-story?utm_term=4ldqpia

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Authors:

Rossalyn Warren

Date tagged:

12/24/2015, 09:55

Date published:

12/24/2015, 09:31