Shakira Gifts $6M School To Hometown

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia — As a teenager, the pop star Shakira fought illiteracy, teaching reading at a parochial school in the humble La Playa district of her hometown on Colombia's Caribbean coast.

Her gift to La Playa is now considerably bigger.

The multiple Grammy winner dedicated a $6 million school on Wednesday sponsored by her foundation, Pies Descalzos, which means "barefoot" in Spanish.

The black-gowned Shakira was accompanied by President Alvaro Uribe, who decorated her with a medal. The 13,000-square-meter (140,000-sq.-ft.) school will cater to 1,800 students and is the fifth the singer-songwriter's foundation has built.

Shakira said her foundation's work is all about "breaking the myth that quality education is the privilege of the few."

Comments

[Samalabear]

Brangelina could learn a thing or two from this. This is really giving. Shakira would be a much better UN goodwill ambassador than Jolie. She really puts her money where her mouth is and it's going to have quite a positive impact on this country.

[Motik70]

Good on you Shakira. She is beautiful on the inside and outside.

[harriettubman]

Very good thing to do, give back.

[StephenJK]

This is such a beautiful act of goodwill on Shakira's part. However, it pales in comparison to the greatest gift she has given the entire world; her gluteus maximus. And it IS maximus.

[ZimboChick]

I just love Shakira. She has such a giving spirit!

[Badger84]

She has a beautiful heart.

[entropy2]

Brava, Shakira! GO ON TOUR AGAIN SOON!!

[kolorkin]

Yes, I agree it is very comforting and inspiring to know those who is lucky enough to make it big gives back to the community. A great example set for all. Love you Shakira!!

[MajorKong]

Very classy move.

[Fleetmind]

Shakira is the classiest pop star in the world.

[ssaz]

I love Shakira! She's a national treasure to Columbia and damned great artist here in the US too!! It's nice to see the privileged give back to the community when all we see is greed, self indulgence and indifference from most of our wealthy on Wall Street!

When is her next major album being released?

[ohioan73]

Very nice, Shakira. I love these new young people who are not apathetic, spoiled and selfish. They set a precedence for all of us. Education is the ladder out of poverty.

[CR46]

What a wonderful thing for her to do. I always like to hear that people who "make it" give back.

[nycloy]

Beautiful