Shakira's Charity To Open New School For Underprivileged Children

The charity for underprivileged children founded by Colombian pop star Shakira is to open its sixth special school in the singer’s native country.

The singer established Pies Descalzos in 1995 to improve education, nutrition, and the lives of the thousands of displaced children living in perilous conditions because of the violent internal conflict in Colombia

“We are going to open our sixth school,” said Shakira. "We provide an education and nutrition for over [6000 kids], in areas that have been devastated by extreme poverty. Colombia [has the second] largest amount of displaced people. We don’t have refugee camps but millions of people lost everything they had and kids don’t have access to an education.

“From the moment I had my first international success at 18, I decided to establish this foundation. It’s taught me a lot and fascinates me – you see first hand how education is such a powerful tool.”