A striking new installation at Wimbledon aims to raise awareness about global water crises and their impact on children’s lives. The giant mosaic, created using tennis nets, balls, and rackets, depicts a touching image of a young boy and his mother enjoying clean water. The installation, set up by WaterAid and the Wimbledon Foundation, serves as a powerful visual statement about the necessity of access to safe water, toilets, and hygiene.
The artwork was unveiled at The All-England Lawn Tennis Club, just weeks before The Championships commence. Designed by the artist collective Sand in Your Eye, the mosaic took nine hours to complete on one of Wimbledon’s grass courts next to the iconic Centre Court. The image features 18-month-old Dylan and his mother Anja from Antsakambahiny village in Madagascar, whose lives have been transformed by improved water access thanks to WaterAid and the Wimbledon Foundation.
The initiative highlights a critical issue: globally, over 1,000 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. This figure underscores the urgent need for enhanced access to these basic necessities, which can significantly reduce child mortality rates. Currently, 703 million people lack clean water close to home, and 1.5 billion people do not have access to a decent toilet.
Anja, a schoolteacher and mother, shared the profound impact of having clean water in her community. “Water is close now, which gives me more time to be with Dylan and focus on his education,” she said. “Before we had running water, we had to send students to collect it, which took time away from their studies. Now, the pupils can focus on learning and enjoy their childhood.”
Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive of WaterAid, emphasised the transformative power of clean water. “It has the potential to unlock people’s potential and create thriving communities. Yet nearly one in ten people worldwide still live without it close to home,” he said. The mosaic at Wimbledon serves as a poignant reminder of this disparity, calling attention to how essential resources could save thousands of lives each day.
The Wimbledon Foundation, which has partnered with WaterAid since 2017, continues its commitment to improving global water access. Last year, the Foundation extended its support with a £2.2 million pledge to enhance water and sanitation facilities in countries including Ethiopia, Nepal, and Madagascar, with plans to expand into Pakistan and Mozambique.
Bruce Weatherill, Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation, stressed the importance of these efforts. “Children everywhere deserve the chance to play, learn, and envision a brighter future. Lack of safe water and toilets hampers these opportunities,” he said. “This partnership with WaterAid is vital in making these essentials a reality for more communities.”
The tennis balls used in the mosaic were donated by Slazenger, the official ball supplier of The Championships, while the nets were provided by Edwards Sports. The rackets were loaned by Give It Your Max, a charity that supports children’s tennis programmes.
The installation serves not only as an artistic tribute but also as a call to action, urging greater global commitment to resolving water and sanitation issues. For more information about WaterAid’s initiatives, visit WaterAid’s website.
Contributed by: PA Media Press Centres