The winners of Dear Big Ticket Season 3.

Six inspiring stories of how ordinary people’s dreams came true through Dear Big Ticket Season 3 Season 3 of “Dear Big Ticket” has come to a close, bringing with it six incredible stories of resilience, hope, and dreams fulfilled. After weeks of public voting, winners from the Philippines, India, Egypt, and Uganda each walked away with Dh100,000, helping them take life-changing steps toward their goals. Here are their winning journeys:

Alejandra Pura Fodra (Philippines)

For 54-year-old nursery assistant Alejandra Pura Fodra, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 25 years, the pandemic forced her family apart when her husband lost his job. Her deepest wish was to reunite her children and bring back the life they once shared. “I was scrolling through Facebook when a Big Ticket ad suddenly popped up, and I decided to give it a try. My husband and I have actually been purchasing tickets for the past 11 years. I can’t believe the day has finally come that we’ve won,” she said. With her prize, Alejandra plans to reunite her family. “This has been my prayer for so long, and even talking about it now makes me emotional.”

Veronica Immaculate Angwen (Uganda)

Living in Abu Dhabi since 2015, 37-year-old secretary Veronica Angwen has been raising her young son from afar, with him staying back in Uganda under the care of his grandmother. “When I was invited to the studio and learned that I had won, I couldn’t stop crying. It was such an emotional moment,” she recalled. Her wish is simple yet profound: to bring her son to the UAE and celebrate his birthday together for the first time in years. “My advice to others is simple: the sky is the limit. Keep trying. As long as you’re alive, there’s always hope.”

Kajol Shree Ravichandran (India)

At just 25 years old, Kajol Shree from Tamil Nadu is pursuing a degree in AI and Cybersecurity while supporting her aging parents in Sharjah. “My sister was scrolling through Instagram when a Big Ticket ad popped up. She encouraged me to apply, and it was my first time participating,” she said. The prize will help her further her studies and ease her family’s burdens. “My dad was the happiest of all, because he knows how much my studies mean to me.”

Manju Jose (India)

Life hasn’t been easy for 35-year-old Manju Jose, a Sharjah resident originally from Kerala. Losing her job two years ago forced her to send her daughter back to India. “For the past two years, my husband and I have barely slept,” she shared. Winning Big Ticket has given them new hope. “With the cash prize, we plan to travel to Kerala to reunite with our baby girl, take her shopping, and bring her some Dubai chocolate she’s been wanting to try. Some of the money will also go towards starting an online business.”

Eslam Shafshak (Egypt)

A 51-year-old physician, Dr. Eslam Shafshak came across Big Ticket during one of the hardest times of his life. “I was financially unstable and faced the painful dilemma of giving up my studies to provide for my children,” he revealed. Winning Dh100,000 means he can continue his medical education and work toward his dream of making treatments more affordable and accessible.

Vineetha Shibu Kumar (India)

For Vineetha, her greatest wish has always centered on her son, who requires continuous care for seizures. Her hope was to find local educational opportunities that would allow him to stay close to home while pursuing his studies safely. “Being named one of the six winners filled me with joy and gratitude,” she said. The prize money will help support her son’s health and education journey. Season 3 of Dear Big Ticket has once again shown how a community campaign can transform lives, from family reunions to education and health. For the winners, Dh100,000 is more than just prize money—it’s the start of a new chapter. ICA/Expat Media
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