Shakira donates funds to rebuild a girls school in Haiti
The Colombian singer was in Haiti’s capital Port-Au-Prince to perform for the students of the Elie Dubois public school when she made the announcement of the plans to rehabilitate the all-girls school.
Grammy award winner, Shakira has contributed $400,000 that will help rebuild a school that was damaged by the earthquake that hit Haiti last year.
"I'm convinced the key to achieve a dignified future for the Haitian people is through education," Shakira was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The Colombian singer was in Haiti’s capital Port-Au-Prince to perform for the students of the Elie Dubois public school when she made the announcement of the plans to rehabilitate the all-girls school.
The head of a Washington-based multilateral lender, Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno also announced that it is planning on matching the contributions by Shakira in hopes to construct the damaged schools.
Huge cracks can be seen on the school’s walls and ceilings prompting the school officials to conduct classes for more than 200 students in a nearby building.
Shakira joins celebrities who have raised funds for the victims of the magnitude quake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. These include Sean Penn, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Duhamel and more.
The singer advised the students, who sang with her as she performed her World Cup hit "Waka Waka" to value education as it serves as gateway to their dreams.
"I'd like to say to the girls that this is an enormous opportunity that life is offering you -- education," Shakira said, according to Reuters. "So make the most of it because I'm sure you can achieve any of your dreams."
Haitian local officials noted that classes are expected to resume in October.
More from Entertainment & Stars:
Newsletter: To receive update right in your inbox, sign up here