Shakira returns to Colombia to visit damaged schools in Quibdó. The Colombian star pledges an initial $1.25 million with several funding partners to help reconstruct schools.
Shakira visits damaged schools in Quibdó and pledges $1.25 million for reconstruction
Shakira traveled to Quibdó on Monday, where she visited schools affected by the earthquake. Reportedly, 200 schools were damaged due to the earthquake in Quibdó. The singer pledged $1.25 million in collaboration with several partners, including $500,000 from Shakira and Live Nation, $250,000 from CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
These funds are being provided through her Fundación Pies Descalzos foundation. According to Billboard, during her visit, Shakira met students and teachers, and went to damaged school sites. She also met Chocó’s governor, Nubia Carolina Córdoba, and Quibdó’s mayor, Rafael Bolaños, during her visit.
She was accompanied by philanthropist Howard Buffett. Buffett shared that his foundation will separately support 10 additional schools in the region. During her surprise visit, she spoke about the crisis. Shakira said, “What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over. Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.”
She added, “It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms. I really want to see it rebuilt again.”
Chocó is one of Colombia’s poorest and most isolated regions, where Shakira has pledged to help through her foundation. Her foundation will focus on rebuilding schools and bringing children back to classrooms.
Colombia was recently hit with a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which damaged hundreds of homes and schools. Shakira is among many other Latin America artists who pledged to help Colombia in the disaster management.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SHAKIRA’S VISIT TO DAMAGED SCHOOLS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN COLOMBIA IN THE COMMENTS.
