A Different Kind of Winning Shot

This Fist Bump Friday goes out to VL Zimbabwe and long-time IT colleague Tom Matiki (right) for winning second place in USAID’s Partners Photo Contest. Tom has served as the team’s IT

 consultant on VL Zimbabwe and on the Abt-led Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria for seven years. Tom took second place in the #WeStandWithZim category of the contest. His winning photo, shown at the right, was taken during the 2020 IRS campaign in Mashonland East Province. In the photo, a spray operator is showing a family the insecticide he will use to spray their home.

Tom said he took the photo before the actual spray campaign began during a week-long social behavior change communications (SBCC) exercise with Zimbabwe’s NMCP to create IEC material for the spray season. The photo was used to design both fliers and posters to create awareness and acceptance of the IRS campaign. Apart from being recognized by USAID, Tom also won a football with the USAID logo as a part of his prize.

As you can see, when it comes to photos and vaccines, it’s worth taking the shot! Congratulations, Thomas and VectorLink Zimbabwe, for your big win!