The Pies Descalzos Foundation founded in Barranquilla, Colombia, a city on the Caribbean Coast, in the late 90’s when Shakira, then 18 years old, decided to take on the social commitment and work with the momentum of education, nutrition and health for the most vulnerable people in the country: the children.

In Colombia, many families live in extreme poverty where children have no access to education and basic services for their growth, this is tied with the forced displacement of communities due to the internal armed conflicts.

They recognize that education is the engine of growth, the key to building a better world. It not only includes books & information, but also requires social and emotional support.

For this fundamental reason, they help children exercise their basic right to quality education, they also have support programs for children and their families that offer real solutions to improve their quality of life and development.

The Foundation currently has five schools in different regions of Colombia: Barranquilla (Atlántico) Altos de Cazucá (Cundinamarca) and Quibdó (Chocó), where more than 4,000 children receive education, nutrition and psychological support.