Shakira Established Fundación Pies Descalzos in 1997
The foundation has supported over 300 public schools and provided education access to more than 282,000 children globally.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Scholarships
Live Poll
Is private charity an effective way to address systemic educational inequality in a country?
Since 1997, Shakira has spearheaded efforts to address educational inequality through her organization, Fundación Pies Descalzos. The initiative aims to help children break the cycle of poverty by providing resources and school facilities in underserved regions.
Why it matters
The foundation focuses on systemic educational improvements to help students overcome the limited resources Shakira observed in her own upbringing. By collaborating with local families and teachers, the program helps children remain in the school system.
The organization has trained 13,387 teachers and manages school projects across Colombia, Haiti, and South Africa. A partnership established in 2019 with the Educate A Child programme targets educational support for 54,000 children.
The players
Shakira
A world-renowned Colombian singer and songwriter who serves as the founder of the education-focused nonprofit organization.
Fundación Pies Descalzos
A non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children by providing access to public education.
UNICEF
A United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
Educate A Child
An international programme that works to provide quality primary education to children currently out of school.
The details
Fundación Pies Descalzos works by supporting existing public schools through infrastructure improvements and program development. These efforts are designed to ensure children stay enrolled in school, addressing the barriers that lead to inequality in education.
Timeline
Shakira established the foundation in 1997.
She became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003.
The Cartagena school opened in 2014.
The foundation partnered with the Educate A Child program in 2019.
Rebuilding plans for 10 schools were announced for August 2026.
Culture Shift
This initiative follows a pattern set by the Educate A Child programme, demonstrating how private philanthropic efforts can scale public educational access. The work underscores a long-term societal move toward integrating private artistic advocacy with established global educational mandates.
The foundation's model prioritizes training local educators, which sustains classroom quality after initial infrastructure projects are completed. These initiatives demonstrate how consistent engagement in school facilities can mitigate long-term dropout rates in vulnerable communities.
The takeaway
Supporting sustainable infrastructure and teacher training remains a critical path for improving long-term educational outcomes in impoverished areas. Individuals looking to contribute can focus on organizations that emphasize local community collaboration over short-term aid.
What happens next
The foundation has scheduled the reconstruction of 10 schools in the Chocó region to take place in August 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about international educational support initiatives in the Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
Live Poll
Is private charity an effective way to address systemic educational inequality in a country?
