AceShowbiz - Shakira traveled to Quibdó, the capital of Colombia’s Chocó region, to support the communities impacted by the recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake and to announce significant contributions for rebuilding schools, Thatgrapejuice reports. The earthquake on August 10 caused widespread destruction, damaging nearly 200 schools and destroying more than 40, while also claiming hundreds of lives.

The relief efforts include a $1.25 million pledge from Shakira and her foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos, which has operated in Chocó for over two decades providing educational support. Per Rttnews, this funding encompasses $500,000 from Shakira and Live Nation combined, $500,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, and an additional $250,000 from the CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. The funds will be allocated through Fundación Pies Descalzos to rebuild damaged schools and construct new facilities, including the Universidad Tecnológica de Quibdó and ten new schools. Yahoo also noted that philanthropist Howard Buffett accompanied Shakira during her visit and committed his foundation to independently support the reconstruction of ten more schools.

Fundación Pies Descalzos has been a longstanding presence in the Chocó region, working for 22 years to enhance education and community welfare. The earthquake severely disrupted children’s access to education by destroying numerous schools and displacing families. Shakira expressed concern about the risk that school rebuilding might stall after the emergency phase ends, emphasizing the urgency of restoring educational opportunities swiftly. She additionally called on the international community and private sector to maintain support throughout the entire recovery process.

This visit and funding initiative highlight Shakira’s ongoing commitment to her homeland beyond her musical career. The Latin pop singer’s foundation has long focused on education in vulnerable communities, making her uniquely positioned to lead these rebuilding efforts. The involvement of major partners like Live Nation, Global Citizen, and the Buffett Foundation underscores the collaborative nature of this response.

With hundreds of schools damaged and thousands of children affected, rebuilding education infrastructure is critical to helping families in Chocó regain stability. Shakira’s active role in the region demonstrates how artists can leverage their influence and resources to support disaster recovery and long-term community resilience.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Thatgrapejuice.