Shakira arrived in Chocó, Colombia, to personally accompany the communities affected by the recent disaster and announce the first aid and reconstruction actions she will lead alongside Fundación Pies Descalzos and national and international allies.
The emergency hit the region’s educational infrastructure especially hard; around 200 schools were affected and 40 were completely destroyed, leaving thousands of children without a place to continue their studies.
Foto por Phraa
During her visit, Shakira announced that more than $1 million has been raised to begin reconstruction efforts and the return to classrooms; Global Citizen and Live Nation contributed $500,000 each, while CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean added another $250,000.
Shakira also announced that she will personally lead the efforts to rebuild the Universidad Tecnológica de Quibdó, the city’s only university and an institution attended by many of the graduates of Pies Descalzos. Additionally, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, in partnership with Fundación Pies Descalzos, will participate in the construction of ten new schools in Chocó.
Shakira’s relationship with Fundación Pies Descalzos and Chocó did not begin with this emergency. The organization has been working in the region for 22 years, using education as a tool to transform the opportunities of thousands of children, families, and communities.
Shakira also made a call to the international community and the private sector to join the efforts, making clear that the work will continue even when the emergency stops occupying the headlines.
