Bricks Don't Lie: Shakira Helps Build Schools In Haiti, Colombia

By Michael Lopez

Just when you thought she was a diva, Shakira turns around and displays an incredible act of generosity. Actually the Colombian singer has a long history of humanitarian work and is continuing the tradition in a major way, by donating nearly $800,000 to help rebuild a historic school in Haiti.

Recently Shakira also helped to lay the first bricks of a new school she's financing in Cartagena, Colombia, for underprivileged kids.

Though Haiti's devastating 7.0 earthquake happened over a year ago, there is still much rebuilding that needs to be done. Port-au-Prince, where the rattler was centered, received a massive amount of damage and several historic landmarks were leveled. One, in particular, was the Elie Dubois school, which has been providing vocational training to Haitian women since 1913.

Shaki’s Barefoot Foundation has partnered with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to help rebuild the school and continue educating its thousands of enrolled students. And that’s only the beginning. The IDB’s goal is to reconstruct over 2,500 more Haitian learning institutions within the next five years.

“I am sure that the only thing that will change the course of Latin America and the Caribbean’s destiny is for governments to make it a priority to invest in quality education for all boys and girls,” Shakira said. “From the moment they are born and forever.”

Since the earthquake, Elie Dubois students have been transplanted to makeshift classrooms in various parts of the city. But that won’t be for long. If all goes according to plan, IDB and the Barefoot Foundation will have the original campus up and running by early September.

Have you donated to those affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Barefoot Foundation, Cultura, Elie Dubois School, Haiti, Health, Shakira