Kella Thomas-Jackson and her husband Simon are still basking in the afterglow of their unforgettable trip to the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, last month. The couple won the getaway through a social media competition, a prize Kella had nearly forgotten she’d entered by the time the museum called with the thrilling news.
Launched in November 2024, just weeks before Simon’s birthday, the competition had slipped Kella’s mind amid the whirlwind of relocating back to Saint Lucia.
A self-described faith-driven person, Kella, who is originally from Choiseul, had quietly prayed for a win. But even she was stunned when it actually happened: “I thought it was a scam.”
The win came just as the couple had repatriated to Saint Lucia.
For Simom, a history buff and football enthusiast from Castries, and Kella, the trip was a dream come true. The couple had long dreamed of exploring Europe together, and the FIFA Museum’s grand prize of airfare and two nights’ accommodation helped to deliver a trip that went beyond their expectations. Upon arrival, the Jacksons were greeted with VIP treatment – a private tour of the museum, an exclusive dinner in a breathtaking setting, and a weekend fit for champions.
The museum’s immersive exhibits left them awestruck. Simon was fascinated by the evolution of football chronicled across the museum’s timeline, while Kella marvelled at the vast collection of memorabilia. Yet nothing compared to the story of Pickles, the heroic dog who recovered the stolen Jules Rimet Trophy before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England.
The pinnacle of their experience came in the FIFA World Cup Gallery, where an intimate dinner awaited them, literally in the shadow of football history – right between the two World Cup trophies.
Beyond the museum, the couple seized the chance to explore Zurich, uncovering hidden gems in the city and venturing into the picturesque mountains of Grindelwald. But as captivated as they were by Switzerland’s beauty, the locals were equally intrigued by them.
“The most interesting thing was that everyone we met, once we told them we were from Saint Lucia, they were so excited, and they kept telling us they wanted to come and visit,” Kella said.
“Wherever we go, we take Saint Lucia with us,” concluded Simon.
