Tennis Stars Bring Clean Water to Africa

Despite there being too much water at the Wimbledon Championships this year, some of the tennis greats have come together to form a new charitable organisation dedicated to bringing clean water and sanitation to poor areas in Africa. Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe and Jim Courier were among the Wimbledon stars (no word if Roger Federer was there) agreeing to become “ambassadors” for the new Global Water Foundation, established by South African player Johan Kriek. Others in the sports community pledging their support include Olympic swimmers Aaron Peirsol, Janet Evans, Kate Ziegler and Tara Kirk. The Foundation’s goal is “ to provide safe, healthy drinking water and adequate sanitation in areas where it is not available or where accessibility and supply have been compromised". It will "raise public awareness, contribute technical assistance and fund programs to improve water quality and provide adequate sanitation in schools, rural areas and other communities across developing nations”. In addition to a “Live-Aid” style concert, there will be a worldwide “ Walk for Water” in which participants walk four miles—the distance an African woman walks to get water, not necessarily clean, for her family. :: Global Water Foundation