Refugee family’s plan for $4 million lotto win

A family scored a massive $4 million win have revealed what they plan to do with their new-found wealth.

A South Australian refugee family who scored a massive $4 million lottery win have revealed what they plan to do with their new-found wealth.

Aristide Nininahazwe and his wife Esther Mboneye say they will work less and spend more time with their children after winning $1 million in cash and a $3 million house in Adelaide’s beachside suburb of Henley Beach.

The couple, who arrived in Australia separately and then met and married, were astounded to have scored the win in the Hospital Research Foundation Group Home Lottery, a charity that raises money for medical research and improved facilities in hospitals.

“When you become a millionaire overnight, you have so much going on in your mind,’ Mr Nininahazwe, also known as Brian, told Daily Mail Australia. “You wonder if it’s true.”

Mrs Mboneye added: “Every time I would go to sleep I kept on having nightmares … Like someone was going to come and knock on the door and say they made a mistake.

“We feel very privileged and lucky to be in this position, because not everybody gets this chance, so it is very overwhelming … It’s a dream come true.”

They welcomed their second child, a baby named Cairo, the same day they finished moving into their new house.

They bought one life-changing ticket in the Hospital Research Foundation HomeLottery, which sold more than 200,000. Picture: 7 News

The win will allow the couple to take a day off every week or fortnight to spend with their family.

“At times we both did two or three jobs at a time and were barely home to spend time together.

“Kids … grow up so fast. I think just to build memories while they are young and getting that opportunity is actually amazing. So it’s really good to be able to step on the brakes.”

The house won in by the couple. Picture: The Hospital Research Foundation Group Home Lottery

The couple are originally from Burundi in East Africa. Esther’s parents fled for the Congo in the 1970s where she was born, however, increasing turmoil in the region forced the family to make the uncertain journey to Australia in 2005. Aristide also fled civil war in Burundi in 2011.

The couple both work in the healthcare industry, Aristide is a disability support worker and Esther works as a nurse.

They couldn’t believe their luck. Picture: 7 News.

Andrew Costello rang the couple live on SAFM breakfast radio to inform them of the win.

“You’re joking Cosi,” Aristide said.

The duo said they had just wanted to give back to the community.

“Our aim was not to win this … it was just to give back to the community,” Aristide said.