Look To The Stars News: Pies Descalzos

Shakira's Charity To Open New School For Underprivileged Children

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0000

The charity for underprivileged children founded by Colombian pop star Shakira is to open its sixth special school in the singer’s native country.

The singer established Pies Descalzos in 1995 to improve education, nutrition, and the lives of the thousands of displaced children living in perilous conditions because of the violent internal conflict in Colombia

“We are going to open our sixth school,” said Shakira. “We provide an education and nutrition for over [6000 kids], in areas that have been devastated by extreme poverty. Colombia [has the second] largest amount of displaced people. We don’t have refugee camps but millions of people lost everything they had and kids don’t have access to an education.

“From the moment I had my first international success at 18, I decided to establish this foundation. It’s taught me a lot and fascinates me – you see first hand how education is such a powerful tool.”

Shakira Helps Bridge Educational Divide In Her Home Country

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

Singer-songwriter Shakira visited a school funded by her charity, Fondacion Pies Descalzos, in the Colombian province of Chocó late last week.

The trip to the remote, poverty stricken location marks Shakira’s continued presence in the effort to create educational opportunities for disadvantaged children in her home country.

Chocó, a Department of Colombia located in the western part of the country, is situated in a dense rainforest environment. Largely isolated from the rest of the nation, it is one of the Departments of Columbia with the worst living conditions for human life. Internal strife amongst the Colombian military, the local paramilitaries, and FARC guerillas has often left citizens caught in the crosshairs of what is often a violent conflict, and has caused three million people to flee their homes. As a result, Colombia is the country with the second largest population of displaced people in the world, after Sudan.

In this environment of extreme poverty and violence, the presence of the Foundation’s school means that students, 750 pupils in all, can learn in a safe facility and receive clean uniforms and one meal per day—the only guarantee for food for many of the children.

Providing access to education for those most in need has been a priority for the charity. Shakira reported to the BBC that, “One-hundred per cent of our kids that we have in our school here have been displaced or have families that have fled their home towns.”

The pop star’s efforts have not gone unnoticed for the citizens of Chocó, where excitement at the news of her arrival stems not only from Shakira’s status as a music icon, but also because of the impact of her school on the local community.

On a national level, Shakira’s goal for better education is beginning to get the notice of the Colombian government. In February, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe attended the opening ceremony for Pies Descalzos’ fifth flagship school, and awarded the singer a medal in recognition of her leadership.

When asked by a reporter why she chooses to do this type of work, she answered simply—“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Having been born and raised in a country like this one, being from a developing country impacts you and affects you in a different way. You just want to grow up and can’t wait to be someone in life to change the stuff that sometimes you feel so frustrated about…the stuff that I grew up seeing and not being able to settle for.”

Shakira created the Fondacion Pies Descalzos, or Barefeet Foundation, in 1995, after the success of her third album, Pies Descalzos. Its’ main goal is to fund schools for poor children all over Colombia. Visit the official website and watch the Barefoot Video to learn the stories of the children who participate in the Pies Descalzos program. A BBC video featuring an interview with Shakira about her school visit can be viewed here.

Shakira Pens Article On Humanitarian Inspiration

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Colombian pop star Shakira has written an article in the latest edition of Newsweek detailing the inspiration of her humanitarian work.

The 31-year-old has written candidly about how her parents sent her to stay with family friends in Los Angeles when she was seven following her father’s bankruptcy.

“We had gone from being middle class to poor almost overnight, and from my 7-year-old child’s perspective it was hard to imagine anything worse“, she wrote. “I can still viscerally remember the seeming desperation of that moment.“

After returning to Colombia, she remembers seeing poor street children in the park – “They were my age and their faces didn’t look all that different from mine or my friends’, yet these children truly had nothing. They lived in the dirt, in tattered clothes and with bare feet, scrounging through garbage for anything to eat. Many sniffed glue to dull the pain of their existence. Despite our situation, my parents wanted me to know that it could be far worse. At that moment, I promised myself that if I was ever able to help, I would.“

Shakira went on to release her first album – called “Pies Descalzos” (“Barefoot” in Spanish) – and set up a charitable foundation “to help kids like the ones I had seen in the park 10 years before and too many times since. I hoped that, as my life and career progressed, I could help poor children escape poverty and make progress in their own lives.“

Since it was established, Pies Descalzos has successfully served thousands of Colombia’s poorest children, providing nutritious meals, quality educations, counseling services and giving Colombia’s youth the chance to pull themselves out of the poverty cycle.

The singer is now taking her organization to the world to address the 72 million young children who do not attend primary school and the 226 million who are not in secondary school.

Shakira’s Newsweek story goes on to outline her global plans for her charity work, and how governments must work to assist in the education of their children.

“Education affects every aspect of economic development and global stability,“ she wrote. “Research has shown that a single year of primary education creates a 10 to 20 percent increase in a woman’s wages later in life. Education also prevents disease: a young person with a secondary education is three times less likely to contract HIV. Education even leads to more efficient agriculture and improved nutrition.“

The singer – who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide – is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and, in December 2007, traveled to Bangladesh to visit UNICEF-supported education projects. She also met with women and children affected by Cyclone Sidr.

“We can be the first generation to make education universally available — providing it to all children, everywhere, with no excuses. A barefoot child I saw years ago in the park deserves the same opportunity as any other child.“

The entire article can be found at the Newsweek website.

Shakira Reveals Global Charity Plans

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Colombian pop star Shakira’s charity is to go global by the end of the year.

The 31-year-old established Pies Descalzos to improve education, nutrition, and the lives of the thousands of displaced children living in perilous conditions because of the violent internal conflict in Colombia. Speaking at an Earth Institute meeting with South American leaders at America’s Columbia University on Wednesday, she said, “For 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, I now want to bring it to other countries in my small way.”

She also urged Latin American presidents to include the development of children during the next Ibero-American summit to be held in El Salvador.

Wednesday’s meeting – which was also attended by the presidents of Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, El Salvador and Panama – raised interest in the singer’s philanthropic endeavors, and she was more than happy with the response she got: “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.”

The Latin American leaders who attended the debate expressed their commitment to bring up the topic during the El Salvador summit in November.

Shakira Wins Humanitarian Award

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Colombian pop star Shakira proved hips don’t lie when she received an ALMA award on Sunday for the humanitarian work she has been doing for Latin America’s impoverished children.

The American Latino Media Arts awards – hosted by Eva Longoria – celebrated the achievements of Latin American performers, with accolades going to America Ferrera, Linda Ronstadt, and Charlie Sheen.

Shakira, who is a UNICEF Ambassador and recently took part in concerts to bring a stop to civil unrest in Colombia, received the award for her work to improve the lives of children in Colombia and Latin America.

“I feel unworthy to accept this award because we have only scratched the surface,” said the singer. “There is still so much to be done.”

Shakira founded Pies Descalzos – a Colombian charity that runs special schools for poor children – in 1997. She has taken part in a multitude of benefit concerts and has visited many people affected by natural disasters, including the victims of Hurricane Sidr in Bangladesh. It was revealed at the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative that she had donated a massive $40 million to help the victims of natural disasters around the world. Earlier this year she acted as Chairperson for the Global Campaign for Education’s Action Week to generate awareness about the Education for All Act, during which she spoke with a number of world leaders to promote a move towards Global Education.

Shakira's Auction A Success

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:05:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The auction of Shakira’s clothes that we reported on earlier this week was a resounding success, with over $76,000 raised for the Pies Descalzos Foundation.

The money raised will be distributed through the singer’s Bare Feet campaign, and will be used to build a school for needy children in Northern Colombia.

Several items attracted high bids, with a lavender skirt going for $1,000, and a custom-made bra reaching $3,000. But the most sought after item was VIP tickets, including a meet-and-greet, to Shakira’s upcoming concert in Toronto, which sold for $14,000.

“It was a phenomenal success,” said Eric Gazin, president of Auction Cause. “We had bidders from 10 countries.”

But for those who missed out, there is still a few items left – two guitars autographed by the singer are available on eBay until Sunday, February 17.

Shakira Sheds Threads For Charity

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:11:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Although the Northern Hemisphere is still gripped with winter chills, it has not stopped some celebrities from shedding their clothes… for a good cause, of course.

Latin American pop princess Shakira leads the pack by donating more than 40 items of clothing from her 2007 Oral Fixation Tour to a massive internet auction.

There is an impressive list of garments from the hip-shaking performer’s wardrobe, including a lavender skirt with turqoise and coral beading and a blue tank top emblazoned with the words “For Those Who Love To Rock”. And the demand has been overwhelming, with one dress attracting bids of $10,000, and a custom-made bra reaching $1,126.

“We have bids from all over the world,” said Eric Ganzin, president of Auction Cause. “It’s very exciting.”

Proceeds from the auction will go to the singer’s Pies Descalzos Foundation, and the money will be used for the construction of a school for impoverished children in North Colombia.

But bidders had better be quick – the eBay auction ends in just a few hours.

Former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has pushed the envelope a little further by allowing naked photos of herself to be auctioned on eBay.

But before you get too excited, they are not all that they appear: the 30-year-old actress originally posed for the photos in a little black dress that was later removed digitally.

The proceeds from the photos will go to the Coalition of Skin Diseases.

And even Donald Trump is getting in on the act… although thankfully he is keeping his clothes on.

A tie signed by Trump is currently up for auction on eBay, with proceeds going to the Spirit Fund, a fund established by radio station Warm 101.3 to help children in the Rochester area.

The story behind the tie is twisty and, you could say, knotty: When a Kodak executive arrived on set for a recent taping of The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump objected to his tie. He ordered the executive to replace it with one belonging to one of the security guards.

There are only a few hours left in the auction, and bids have already reached $759.

But the biggest celebrity auction on the Net right now is the 50th Grammy Awards Charity Auction on eBay. Over 100 items from some of music’s hottest stars is up for grabs, with all proceeds going to MusiCares.

The auction, which runs until February 21, features exciting and priceless items such as the chance to visit the set of LL Cool J’s next video, a guitar lesson with Joe Satriani, VIP tickets to concerts by Linkin Park, John Legend, and Rihanna, guitars signed by Richie Sambora, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Neil Diamond, a microphone signed by Joss Stone, posters and photos signed by Rod Stewart ($167), John Mayer ($170), and Sting ($482), as well as items from Avril Lavigne, Slash, Reba McEntire, Quincy Jones, Beyoncé Knowles, and Snoop Dogg.

The internet auction follows a live auction held on February 8 at Aretha Franklin’s MusiCare’s Person Of The Year Award ceremony. Items that were up for sale on that night included a private painting lesson with Tony Bennett, a saxophone signed by Bill Clinton, sheet music to Stairway To Heaven signed by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, as well as clothing and instruments donated by Elton John, Slash, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.

MusiCares is the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, the group that gives out the Grammys, and focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

Bono's Fishy T-Shirt Benefits African Farmers

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:41:01 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bono has designed a new T-shirt for charity, joining a host of other celebrities in an on-going and major charity campaign.

The 47-year-old singer from U2 is the 25th artist to design a shirt for Hard Rock Café’s Signature Series clothing line, an initiative started in 1990 as a way for musicians to raise money for charities of their choice. Sales from the shirts have raised over $6 million for a variety of causes.

Bono’s creation, available for $26 from the Hard Rock website, features his stylized drawing of a fish soaring past the moon, and is adorned with the words “Fish Can Fly”, as well as his signature. 15% of the proceeds will go to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Conservation Cotton initiative – a scheme designed to lift African farmers out of poverty by providing education on proper land management, organic cotton growing techniques, and wildlife conservation. The shirts will also support the trade for aid ethos of EDUN, the conscious consumerism fashion label founded by Bono and his wife in 2005, by being made from 100% African cotton and manufactured by African garment workers.

Other artists to have designed shirts for the initiative in the past include Green Day, who raised money for Amnesty International’s Campaign To Save Darfur, Shakira who chose to benefit Pies Descalzos, Ozzy Osbourne for the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program, Bruce Springsteen for World Hunger Year, Eric Clapton for the Crossroads Centre, Peter Gabriel for Witness, Sting and Elton John for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Michael Stipe for Artists for a New South Africa, Don Henley for the Walden Woods Project, John Mellencamp for the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation, and Stevie Nicks for the Special Olympics. Carlos Santana and Aerosmith have also contributed designs. Many of these shirts are still available from the Hard Rock website.

Bono’s “Fish Can Fly” is more than just a phrase – it is a message that tomorrow can be better than today.

2007 - The Year The Stars Gave Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:11:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

2007 was a year of giving, both on grand and not-so-grand scales. Celebrities from all fields, be it movies, music, sport or general entertainment, showed compassion beyond the call of duty, and in most cases had a lot of fun doing it.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest events of the year was Live Earth in July, where stars new and old shone in all of the corners of the Earth to raise awareness of the plight of the planet. The shows were generally well-received, and led to organizer Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

But celebrities also participated in smaller, more personal acts of kindness in 2007. Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Gilbert, and Michael Douglas all donated their time to feed the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission, Fran Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, and Ewan McGregor visited UNICEF projects during his epic motorcycle trip across Africa.

In January, Kevin Bacon launched www.sixdegrees.org, a website designed to marry the concepts of social internet networks and charities. The site aims to help people fundraise for their chosen causes, and features celebrities such as Kyra Sedgwick and Ashley Judd.

Bette Midler, founder of the New York Restoration Project, launched the Million Trees NYC initiative with Mayor Michael Bloomberg in October, to get city dwellers to plant more trees. The project plans to increase New York’s urban forest by 20% in the next ten years.

“To walk under the branches of a tree that you have planted connects you to the roots of our past and the aspirations of our future,” said the 62-year-old singer and actress.

Another singer with a sense of community in 2007 was Jon Bon Jovi who, as well as participating in various benefit concerts, also worked with Project HOME to revitalize a deteriorated lot in Philadelphia and transform it into homes for fifteen families.

And then there was Shakira, co-founder of the Latin America for Solidarity Fund and Pies Descalzos, who donated $40 million to victims of natural disasters in Peru and Nicaragua, and another $5 million to benefit education programs for children across Latin America.

The California wildfires that ravaged much of the state in November also spawned a spate of celebrity donations, with Linkin Park, the Eagles, and Gwen Stefani all making substantial contributions to both victims and firefighters.

American Idol gave back in April, with two shows that raised over $60 million to benefit organizations funding relief programs in America and Africa, featuring performances by Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, and others. Organized by Simon Cowell, American Idol Gives Back also led to a $100,000 donation by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Another talk show host to shine this year was Oprah Winfrey, who opened a state-of-the-art school in South Africa for disadvantaged girls.

“I am creating everything in this school that I would have wanted for myself—so the girls will have the absolute best that my imagination can offer,“ said the 53-year-old, who poured $40 million of her own money into the project.

Brad Pitt took on the mission of rebuilding New Orleans by donating $5 million towards new houses, and also set up the Make It Right Foundation to assist in his work. Meanwhile, his wife Angelina Jolie set out to do what her character Lara Croft does best – save the world. As well as donating $100,000 to build the Duk Lost Boys Medical Clinic in the Sudan in March, Jolie also traveled to Iraq and Syria to raise support for those displaced by war.

Although literally tonnes of articles were written about Jolie’s efforts during 2007, even more was reported on Don Cheadle’s and George Clooney’s work to publicize the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The stars of Ocean’s Thirteen established a charity for the Sudanese region called Not On Our Watch, and personally raised over $9 million to help those affected by conflict in the region. The pair were awarded a special peace prize by Nobel laureates for their efforts.

And no round up of the year’s events can be complete without mention of Bono, who continued being Bono by doing what Bono does best – raising awareness for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the needy, and the disadvantaged.

We at Look To The Stars would like to wish all of our readers a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year, and we look forward to continuing to bring you celebrity charity news in 2008.

Shakira’s $40m Gift

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:31:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Colombian pop singer, Shakira, announced recently at Bill Clinton’s conference, Clinton Global Initiative, that Latin America in Solidarity Action (ALAS) is donating $40 million dollars towards relief efforts in Peru and Nicaragua.

Ica, Chincha and Pisco were the regions in Peru hardest hit by an earthquake last August. Hundreds of people were killed and over a thousand injured. A state of emergency was declared initially, as well as a request for medicine, blankets, tents and any other help that could be given in South America’s coldest season.

ALAS’s donations are providing shelter and basic necessities to over 37,000 people. Additionally, donations provide psychological and social support, oversee the supply and quality of water, and work with the community in rebuilding structures.

Nicaragua also needed food, shelter, water and sanitation last month after Hurricane Felix’s 160-mph (260-kph) winds and giant waves hit the Atlantic coast, flattening villages and killing over 100 people. ALAS is answering The United Nations’ emergency appeal for relief and assistance for the more than 160,000 affected people.

Besides that $40 million, Shakira announced that another $5 million will be donated by ALAS to be spent on health and education in Latin American countries. Said Clinton at his conference last month, “The unique collaboration of Latin artists, intellectuals and entrepreneurs make ALAS the ideal institution to build a culture of philanthropy throughout Central and South America.”

Gabriel García Márquez, Colombian novelist, political activist, and recipient of the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature, set up ALAS with other prominent Latin artists to combat preventable deaths of children. Before joining Márquez in founding ALAS, Shakira had founded her own children’s charity, the Barefoot Foundation, to help Colombian children who are victims of violence. As she is so oft-quoted saying, “Let’s not forget at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America.”  

Shakira Joins Latin American Solidarity Action Foundation

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:53:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Shakira has announced her plan to raise $200 million for the charity América Latina en Acción Solidaria (ALAS).

The singer, who is already a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founder of Colombian charity Pies Descalzos, will stage four fundraising concerts in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and New York this year.

ALAS is dedicated to aiding impoverished communities throughout all of Latin America, focusing on improved nutrition, health and education for children. "ALAS came about because of a social emergency: 350 thousand children die each year due to avoidable causes; 40 million children work and live on the streets,” Shakira said.

Funding for ALAS comes from businesses, international institutions, NGOs and charity concerts. Other musicians involved since ALAS’s launch last December include Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Diego Torres, Maná, Wyclef Jean and Daniela Mercury. Shakira said, “Each person has worked on projects or foundations on his own, but only now we are able to work together to develop interesting projects that will benefit everyone.”

Many more artists, such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, have since joined the foundation. REM’s vocalist Michael Stipe has confirmed his participation in the ALAS benefit concert cycle in 2008, the dates of which will be officially announced later this month.

Concrete ALAS health care programmes cover mass vaccinations and pre-natal care for more pregnant women. “Let’s not forget that at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America,” Shakira said at a UN award ceremony. The ALAS web site states, “Because we are Latin Americans we are determined to change this reality.”

Jolie And Shakira Swap Fundraising Tips

Mon, 21 May 2007 13:31:00 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

UN Goodwill Ambassadors Angelina Jolie and Shakira have reportedly become friends since their charity efforts brought them into contact.

A friend of Jolie said, "They have so much in common, we can’t believe they didn’t become buddies sooner.

“Shakira loves kids and runs a children’s charity in her home country so they have been swapping tips on fundraising.”

Jolie is ambassador of UNHCR, which works to help refugees, and Shakira represents UNICEF, the UN children’s fund.

Shakira’s own charity Pies Descalzos helps children displaced by fighting in Colombia, while the Jolie-Pitt Foundation funds various humanitarean causes, most recently including refugee relief in Darfur.

Shakira and SEAT Design Car to Benefit Charity

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 11:38:12 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

At a press conference held in Berlin last weekend to kick off her latest European tour, pop star Shakira announced that she had teamed up with manufacturer SEAT to design a unique car as a competition prize to benefit her charity, Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation).

The Leon Cupra “Pies Descalzos” has metallic lilac paint and interior highlights, and its leather trim features the Pies Descalzos logo. The competition will end on 15th May and the €27,300 prize car will be presented to its winner at the Barcelona Motor Show in June.

SEAT’s partnership for Shakira’s tour sees the company supporting both the tour and the singer’s charity work.

“The support for Pies Descalzos is very welcome,” said Shakira. “The need for education and proper nutrition for the children in my home country of Colombia is very big and I trust that SEAT’s initiative will aid a lot.”

“By supporting Shakira’s charity foundation, we show our social responsibility,” commented Erich Schmitt, SEAT’s president. “All European countries visited by Shakira on her tour will incorporate the possibility to donate money to Pies Descalzos.”

Fans can enter the competition by sending an SMS to to a dedicated number in each of the tour’s countries. Entrants will automatically donate one Euro (or one pound in the UK) to the foundation. For more information, or to make a donation for any amount, visit the Shakira/SEAT website at catch-the-fever.com.

Shakira Honoured For Charity Work

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 20:20:15 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Shakira received a United Nations Humanitarian Award this week for helping children with her charity Pies Descalzos. Pies Descalzos, also known as the Barefoot Foundation, helps thousands of displaced children in Shakira’s native Colombia.

The singer moved the 400 member audience with her speech. “Let’s not forget at the end of this day when we all go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America,” she stated.

She then encouraged the public to help make a difference, saying, “This generation has so many ideas and technologies that my parents didn’t have access to, so let’s take advantage of this historical opportunity we have within reach to make this world a better place.”

Look To The Stars News: Pies Descalzos

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