Shakira, born in Barranquilla, launched the Pies Descalzos Foundation in 1997 at age 20, before her global stardom, with a vision to create learning spaces for children in Colombia’s underserved neighborhoods.
By 2014, the foundation had erected its sixth school, a 10‑million‑dollar complex in Cartagena’s Lomas de Peyé. The 8,000‑square‑meter campus, complete with a football pitch and 1,700‑student capacity, replaced a hazardous structure that struggled against Caribbean winds. Patricia Sierra, then director of the foundation, described the new brick building as a community centre that could serve up to 5,000 people through sports, arts, and informal learning.
Today, the foundation distinguishes between construction and support: 22 schools built or renovated, plus assistance to 300 public schools, reaching 282,160 youngsters. The work is financed through a mix of local and international donors and Shakira’s own contributions, allowing the charity to maintain a presence in both urban and rural areas.
Shakira frames education as a right, urging state actors to share responsibility. Her celebrity platform has drawn international attention to systemic gaps, turning her philanthropic mission into tangible infrastructure that benefits communities beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, the foundation aims to add 10 new schools by 2027, targeting rural areas that still lack basic facilities. A coalition of NGOs and the Colombian Ministry of Education will oversee the expansion, while a fundraising drive set for early 2025 is expected to secure the necessary capital.