Shakira and Barcelona Join Efforts to Support 28,000 Children

By Andrea Marcela Madambashi , Christian Post Correspondent

August 2, 2011|10:32 pm

Shakira and the Spanish soccer team Barcelona announced recently an initiative to benefit more than 28,000 Hispanic children in Miami.

The initiative offers educational programs to children in the Hispanic community in Miami, as part of a cooperation agreement between Barefoot Foundation (Fundación Pies Descalzos) and FC Barcelona Foundation.

The project, which includes the construction of sports and recreational facilities in the Colombian city of Cartagena and Miami, aims to work with children from vulnerable communities at risk of social exclusion, according to a press release from Shakira’s publicists.

“Just getting the chance to meet all the celebrities, all the stars from Barcelona the champions of the league; it’s going to be pretty amazing. I’m really excited,” said a fan of Shakira, Luis Contreras in an interview published by CBS News.

Approximately 28,500 children and young Hispanics will participate in the program called “Soccer for youth development and a health life.”

Shakira’s foundation plans to build soccer fields and establish sport programs as part of an education project to be implemented in a family center of the YMCA, which will be transformed into a sports area.

Shakira, who is dating FC Barcelona’s soccer star Gerard Pique, has been honored for her artistic and humanitarian work.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Commissioner Steve Bovo, FC Barcelona Foundation vice-president Ramon Pont and YMCA of Greater Miami Board Chairman Brian Mormille were at the recent announcement.