If you think Shakira is a stereotype artist, think again! Even I was surprised when I read a recent article about her. She’s a very unique and strong woman. She knows what she wants and is very well-grounded for a successful artist. One thing I also admire about her now is this – she doesn’t forget her place of origin. She has very strong views about certain things, especially education. To her, education is a right, not a privilege. And in keeping with this view, she has started her very own foundation, Pies Descalzos (Barefoot), in order to help children get proper education and be able to reach their full potential.

She started the foundation when she was just 18 years old. It was a fulfilment of the promise she made to herself a long time ago, when she saw the barefoot and desperate children living in a park near their home. She believes that with education these children will have better chances in getting good jobs and wages so as to improve their way of life as well. And now, through her foundation many schools in Colombia are able to give education to even the poorest child. This kind of effort is never in vain because the children also strive hard to improve their lives.

Shakira’s vision of education for every child has been as a big success. They are now bringing the model or strategy to the United States in order to help other children too.

Shakira is very active in her philanthropic efforts. Through her foundation, almost 28,000 Colombian children are able to have access to education. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and honorary chair of the Global Campaign for Education.

Kudos Shakira!