At this moment I would to call your attention to a spectacular human being not only known for her musical talent on the stage, but also for her support and advocacy for universal education around the world, especially for disadvantaged children in Latin America.
After achieving her international success in 1995 with the album Pies Descalzos , at the young age of 18 Shakira created a foundation that provides education and food for poor Colombian children who do not have access to these resources. This foundation, Pies Descalzos , which is named after her successful album was headed by her parents William Mebarak and Nidia Rippol de Mebarak until 2003 when Colombian Minister of Foreign Relations and Minister of Education, María Emma Mejía, took control at the request of Shakira. Since 2003, Shakira’s Pies Descalzos Foundation has opened six schools in various parts of Colombia which serve disadvantaged children and their families through education, nutrition, income generating projects and counseling. In 2008 Shakira founded the U.S. based non-profit organization Barefoot Foundation which advocates for universal education world wide.
Equally astonishing is the message this "star" is projecting through the media. With her fame Shakira has full-heartedly committed to spreading the notion of every child's basic right to an education. According to Shakira in her interview given by BBC World News, it is only through education that a child "can break the cycle and chains of poverty..." in order reach their true potential and achieve their dreams. It is not possible to educate a child when he/she is starving; a child's brain requires adequate nutrition in order to function and develop properly. For this reason, the aim of both Pies Descalzos and the Barefoot Foundation focus on improving "...the education, nutrition, and quality of life for the millions of boys and girls denied a chance to fulfill their true potential (Barefoot Foundation)."
It is imperative that we, as (future) educators, are conscious of the events going on around us, and pay attention to ways that we can get involved in changing a child's life. Please search the websites below for more information. You will be amazed to see how you can get involved. My next blogg will provide more information about programs educators can get involved with to make a difference.
Other Links
Barefoot Foundation - http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/pages/about/about_main_en.php?PHPSESSID=8a96951e0bf7bd3a9f216c78a3b58402
Aids & Education - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF4MFzKEe_s&feature=related
Barefoot Foundation - YouTuve video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AILwEStUd0&feature=related
Shakira speaks about Poverty - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3iWbpPa0Bo&feature=related
Shakira speaks at the Clinton Global Initiative - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1GsiDB2Vz4&feature=channel_page
Shakira at Columbia University - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAYZEkDPrlI&feature=channel_page
World Health Organization -http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/nutrition/en/index.html
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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Excellent posting!
ReplyDeleteYou explained, "It is imperative that we, as (future) educators, are conscious of the events going on around us, and pay attention to ways that we can get involved in changing a child's life."
How true. I think keeping yourself and your students current is very important in teaching.
Thanks for posting!