Shakira has pledged $1.25 million to aid in rebuilding schools in Colombia’s Chocó region. A massive 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia over a week ago, severely damaging infrastructure and killing hundreds of people. The Colombian native visited Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, on August 17th, where she not only shared her million-dollar pledge but also met with students, teachers, and the governor and mayor and toured damaged classrooms.
The $1.25 million commitment includes $500,000 from Shakira and Live Nation, $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, and $250,000 from the CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, as reported by Billboard. The funds will be sent through her foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos, and will go toward rebuilding the damaged schools in the area. Her foundation has operated in the Chocó region for over 20 years and runs two schools there.
“What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over,” Shakira said. “Every day that children don’t go to school is a day they miss out on their future.”
Shakira isn’t the only artist pitching in to help. A benefit concert in Miami, featuring Chayanne and Marc Anthony, took place over the weekend to raise funds for earthquake relief in Colombia and Venezuela. Karol G also recently promised to match fan donations to her Con Cora Foundation during her concerts in SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
“It’s a place I love, a place where I’ve seen our students grow in our classrooms,” Shakira said. “I really want to see it rebuild again.”
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