Colombian pop star Shakira has pledged to rebuild at least 10 schools in Colombia following a devastating earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.
The singer made the commitment during an unannounced visit to Quibdó, the capital of Chocó province, which was severely affected by the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in years.
The 49-year-old singer, whose full name is Shakira Mebarak Ripoll, visited damaged classrooms and embraced students at the affected schools.
“What concerns me most is that the schools may not be rebuilt once this emergency is over,” she said.
“Every day that children are unable to attend school is a day they lose the opportunity to build their future.”
Shakira was accompanied during the visit by Howard Buffett, philanthropist and son of billionaire Warren Buffett, who has long supported humanitarian and development initiatives in Colombia.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck parts of western Colombia on August 10, killing at least 287 people and destroying more than 26,000 homes, according to official figures.
