Colombian singer Shakira announced Tuesday she will rebuild one university and 10 schools damaged by an earthquake in the Chocó department [1].
The initiative aims to restore educational infrastructure in a region struggling with the aftermath of seismic activity. By funding these repairs, the singer intends to ensure that children and young adults do not lose critical time in their education due to destroyed facilities.
During her visit to Chocó on Aug. 18, 2026, Shakira toured the affected areas to assess the damage [1]. She said that the lack of physical classrooms creates a barrier to the future of the local youth.
"Every day that children do not go to school is a day that we pause their future, and we cannot allow that," Shakira said [1].
The commitment includes the reconstruction of 10 primary and secondary schools [1]. Additionally, one university will be rebuilt to support higher education in the region [1]. These efforts are designed to mitigate the long-term social, and economic impact of the natural disaster.
Local officials and community members observed the visit, which highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure support in the department. The project focuses on rapid reconstruction to return students to their classrooms as quickly as possible [1].
“Shakira announced Tuesday she will rebuild one university and 10 schools damaged by an earthquake in the Chocó department.”
This philanthropic effort addresses a critical gap in disaster recovery within Colombia's Chocó department, where government resources often struggle to reach remote or marginalized areas. By focusing on educational infrastructure, the initiative seeks to prevent a permanent drop in literacy and graduation rates that typically follows the destruction of schools in disaster-prone regions.
