Shakira is planning to open a school for the youngest citizens of the quake-hit island of Haiti.
The Colombian pop star’s Barefoot Foundation has teamed up with the Architecture for Humanity charity to build a institution that will open its doors to Haitian children as soon as the nation becomes functional again.
The “She Wolf” hitmaker/humanitarian already helped open an education facility in her native Colombia, which provides teaching, nutrition, and counseling for at-risk children.
“There is a great need for immediate aid in Haiti, but also for longer-term reconstruction,” Shakira wrote in a personal message to fans on her website Thursday. “For that reason, we are doing our small part to help Haiti rebuild and give the children affected by this disaster the chance to learn and thrive. I hope we can use some of what we’ve learned working in Colombia to help Haiti’s children recover,” she added.
“When we educate children we empower societies, and right now Haiti needs all of our help.”