Shakira will rebuild the University of Chocó and ten schools affected by the earthquake in Colombia
The singer calls on governments and companies to allocate funds to help one of the areas most affected by the earthquake
BarcelonaShakira will collaborate on the reconstruction of the Technological University of Chocó and ten schools affected by the earthquake that shook Colombia on August 10. Together with the American philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett –son of Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world–, Shakira has visited the area and explained her joint reconstruction plans. "Every day that children don't go to school is a day we put their future on pause. We can't afford that," said the singer during the visit, in statements collected by the Efe agency. Likewise, on Shakira's initiative, the Global Citizen movement will contribute $500,000 to the project and concert promoter Live Nation will donate another $500,000, which will be allocated to the reconstruction of the schools. The artist has called on the governments of Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as foundations and private companies, to collaborate in the reconstruction of Chocó, one of the areas most affected by the earthquake.
During her visit, the singer also said that Chocó has "a historic debt" and warned that aid to this area must be constant. "What worries me most is that, when the state of emergency passes, many affected and forgotten people will be left behind and our children will not be able to return to school," she stated. For 22 years, Shakira has promoted the Barefoot Foundation, which has supported 400 students to graduate from the University of Chocó. For his part, Howard Buffett has donated more than 160 million dollars to Colombia since 2008, mainly in rural development, infrastructure, and education projects.
