BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian superstar Shakira committed Monday to help build at least 10 new schools in a remote and hard-hit region of her home country. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The globally recognized "Hips Don't Lie" musician made the pledge during a surprise visit to Quibdó, the capital of the Colombian province of Chocó, where she toured damaged schools, hugging students and taking photos with them.
"What worries me the most is that schools are not rebuilt once this emergency is over," Shakira told journalists. "Every day that children don't go to school is a day they miss out on their future."
She was accompanied by Howard Buffett, son of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett and longtime donor to Colombia who has helped Shakira set up schools there before. The Howard G. Buffett foundation will collaborate with Shakira's Fundación Pies Descalzos, or Barefoot Foundation, on the project.
"When she calls, I come," Buffett said during the visit. The singer also announced pledges of $500,000 each from Global Citizen and Live Nation toward the cause.
The 7.4 magnitude quake on Aug. 10 struck a vast swath of western Colombia, killing at least 287 people and destroying more than 26,000 dwellings, according to authorities. The government has said 194 people are missing, while other civilian-run databases put the number at more than 4,100.