Africell Sierra Leone and African Young Voices AYV on Friday 19 August 2022 handed over the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Old Leones (Le250,000) Star Prize to Housemate Season 3 winner, Juliana Conteh, alias Julie Tombo, at a presentation held in the boardroom of Africell SL, at the company’s headquarters at Wilberforce in Freetown.

The present was handed over shortly after ten finalists of the reality TV show returned from Africell SL and AVY-sponsored trip in the United Arab Emirate.

Welcoming all at the occasion, Africell SL’s Media and Marketing Manager, John Konteh, gave a detailed overview of Housemate in Sierra Leone and described this year’s show as hectic and thrilling leading to the show, from the announcement to the audition, to the event itself.

“It was an exciting nine weeks of entertainment and education in this year’s edition of the show,” he recalled, adding that the show was occasioned in fulfillment of promises made to the contestants, especially the winner.

“We are here today to follow through our promises. We promised that our winner will be taken on a vacation trip to Dubai, that has been fulfilled, and we are here to also fulfill another promise, that is to deliver the star prize of Le250,000 to the Housemates Salone Season 3 winner Juliana Conteh, popularly known as Julie Tombo,” said John Konteh.

On behalf of AYV TV, the Director of Operations, Samuel Wise Bangura, described AYV’s relationship with Africell SL as “a family relationship” – with similar values and goals to promote entertainment in Sierra Leone.

He reassured that the Chief Executive Officer of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jnr, will continue to commit to his promise to promote and showcase Sierra Leone through entertainment.

Bangura added that “the organizers are currently planning on the upcoming edition – Season 4, which will be epic”.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of Africell SL, Joe Abass Bangura, delivered a motivational address, by referencing Julie’s story as a classic inspiration to young girls and women, who feel let down in society and are ready to fight back to success.

He mentioned that Juliana Conteh and Almon Sall have been contracted as Brand Ambassadors for Afrimoney, for winning the Mr and Miss Housemates Salone Season 3 pageant in the house, for both male and female categories respectively.

Therefore, both winners were also given additional prizes like Le10,000 cash, Africell SL 4G Mi-fi with 1 year unlimited data and a monthly Le250 airtime subscription, for each.

The first runners-up also received Le5,000 cash, Africell SL 4G Mi-fi with unlimited data and a Le250 airtime monthly subscription for 6 months. While the second runners-up received Le3,000 and an Africell SL 4G Mi-fi with unlimited data and Le250 airtime subscription monthly subscription for 3 months.

HMSL Season 3 winner Juliana Conteh aka Julie Tombo expressed her profound appreciation to the Almighty God for leading her to the show, and also extended her gratitude to AYV and Africell SL for the platform given to her and her colleagues to share their stories with the people. “What seemed impossible, became possible,” she said.

Julie also recognized a woman she describes as a caregiver and mentor, who looked after her children when she was away, who was also delighted to see the transformation of Julie and encouraged her to believe in herself.

Expressing her delights for receiving her star prize and her new endorsement as Brand Ambassador for Afrimoney, Julie Tombo dedicated her achievements to the people who supported her, her children, her boyfriend Nohmi George and her ‘Tombolistic’ team.

The ceremony was well attended by the organizers, the media, ex-housemates and fans. Presentation of the star prize and other prizes topped the event.