Shakira News Update: Star Wants to See Peace Restored In Colombia

Singer Shakira recently said that she is eager to see peace restored in her home country Colombia and shared that "whatever the steps are to reach that goal" should be viewed "with optimism."

"I was born 36 years ago in a country in conflict," said Shakira, according to Mexican news site Tv Notas.  "I have never seen peace in Colombia. I've been wishing for it for 36 years, seeing the country dreaming of it. It's something that seems to be closer, that's why whatever steps to reach that goal, I believe it must be seen with optimism."

The singer said that being born in a country "with so much inequality" makes her feel "unable to tolerate social injustice," where "there are so few who have so much and many have so little."

"That's why I decided to create my foundation, 'Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation)', so that we may focus exclusively on education. I feel that in countries like ours, education is seen as a luxury and not a right," added the "Hips Don't Lie" singer, TV Notas reported.

According to Shakira, "a big part of the problem that has led to many other issues, such as violence," is the lack of access to "equal opportunities."

The singer asked young people to use social platforms to make education "a common interest to be included in the agendas and political speeches."

Through the Barefoot Foundation, the non-profit organization she created in 1997, Shakira has helped about 5,000 students. The Foundation is already running five schools in different parts of the country, from Altos de Cazucá, south side of Bogotá to the singer's hometown, Barranquilla.

On February next year, the singer is scheduled to attend the opening of a new school in the neighborhood of Lomas del Peye in the Caribbean resort of Cartagena, about 650 kilometers north of Bogota.

The new school will be able to hold 1,700 students that are 18 years of age and under. Shakira launched a campaign to ask for donations to help build the sixth establishment her Foundation put together.

"You can be part of this dream and donating to the campaign 'Build Together," she says in a 21-second YouTube video. On a press conference, the president of the Barefoot Foundation, Patricia Sierra, explained that building a space of 7,800 square-meters has a cost of about $8 million. Shakira donated 46 percent of the total cost herself.