Shakira Opens New School in Barranquilla

Colombian pop star Shakira returned to her home town of Barranquilla Tuesday to inaugurate a school that was funded by her ‘Pies Descalzos’ foundation.

The pop idol said she was part of a generation of artists that no longer tolerates injustice and inequality and that she wants to do something for the people living where she grew up.

“This institution is a reflection of what we want to propose. Therefore I believe that society should ask its government to invest in education. A big part of why I am here is to draw attention to the issue of education,” Shakira said during the opening.

The school, located in one of the coastal regions poorest areas, will focus on bilingual and art education for the poor students.

Shakira Sings for Hostages’ Freedom

Shakira's t-shirt reads in Spanish 'united and free'. (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez)

Pop star Shakira is to lead nationwide demonstrations in her native Colombia on Sunday demanding the liberation of hundreds of hostages held by rebels in the jungle for years.

Around 80 solidarity rallies are also planned in other cities around Latin America and the rest of the world, including one in Paris that will include recently freed Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt.

“On July 20, I want to shout out, with you, for the independence and liberty of those who are still hostage of the FARC in Colombia,” Betancourt told the French parliament early this month.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continues to detain an estimated 700 hostages. Up to 2,000 more are believed to be held by the National Liberation Army, another leftist rebel group.

Sunday’s rallies are calling for their immediate release, and those of prisoners held by other rebel groups.

Around five million people are expected to take part in demonstrations in some 1,000 towns and cities across Colombia.

The marches coincide with independence day celebrations in the southern town of Leticia, which are to be attended by President Alvaro Uribe and his guests, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Alan Garcia of Peru.

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Shakira Meets Colombian Captive

SHAKIRA has flown to Paris, France to meet recently freed political prisoner INGRID BETANCOURT. The singer was the first celebrity to note the rescue of 15 captives who were held by revolutionaries in her native Colombia, releasing a statement on the day Betancourt was freed.

And, on Wednesday (16Jul08), Shakira met the former Colombian presidential candidate at the Hotel Meurice in Paris.

In her former statement, Shakira hailed the hostage rescue as “a historic day for all of us, for this country that has suffered a lot.”

The singer added, “What a proud day to be Colombian!”

Source: Contactmusic.com