Shakira Helps Fight Child Poverty

"Those who are born in poverty die in poverty," commented Columbian singer Shakira, about the Latin American children.
Shakira added, “A child who lacks sufficient nutrition and education is never able to lead a dignified life, and that must change.”

That is the challenge with which the young inimitable singer, planned to confront the presidents of several Latin American nations: Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador, Panama, and Paraguay.

The event was held on September 24, where Shakira tried to encourage the presidents to begin a mutual effort to fight child poverty. The aim is to ratify an agreement during the October summit meeting of Ibero-American representatives.
Her words came as representative of ALAS (Latin America for Solidarity). An organization founded in 2006 by some of the most influential artists, intellectuals, and business leaders of Latin America.

Shakira donated US$40 million to ALAS for reconstruction in areas of Peru and Nicaragua that were devastated by natural disasters.
Shakira’s Early Involvement

The singer, born in Columbia in 1977 and of Catalan origin, had early on—since 1997— become involved in her native land with the “Fundacion Pies Descazos” (“Barefoot Children's Foundation”).
Her social responsibilities are primarily providing nutrition and education for street children, and those who have other basic needs.
Shakira was named ambassador for UNICEF in 2003. The lyrics of her songs often include corruption, crime, torture, and criminal abortion. The German TV program ZDF voted her "2007 Charity Person of the Year," for the program "A Heart for Children."

This year, her song "La Despedida," from the soundtrack of the movie "Love in the Times of Cholera," was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Original Song category.

Source:http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/arts-entertainmen

Shakira Takes Children's Charity Global

Colombian pop star Shakira's children's charity is to go global by Christmas (08).

The Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) charity has provided shelter, care, clothing and food for poor children in the singer's native Colombia and now she wants to take her message of help to the world.

Launching the global initiative during an Earth Institute initiative with South American leaders at America's Columbia University on Wednesday (24Sep08), the Hips Don't Lie singer said, "Under less than $2 a day, we can provide a kid with top quality education and the nutrition that they need to be able to function and be able to learn, because a kid with an empty stomach cannot learn."

"This model that has been so successful in my country, now I want to bring it to other countries in my small way."

She insists her summit meeting with the presidents of Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, El Salvador and Panama went very well, and they've pledged to help Shakira: "They seem very committed and that's
what we need.

We need all the leaders of Latin America to have a definite commitment toward our children (because) the children of Latin America are waiting for opportunities.

"Where I come from every child who is born poor will die poor and we have to change this, and this is the moment to do it. We are at the threshold of a new wave of awareness and sensibility toward our children's issues. But early childhood development should be at the top of our priorities and at the top of every president's agenda." (c) WENN

Source: http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212175147.shtml