Shakira selected as “Humanitarian of the year”

Shakira on the cover of the latest issue of People en Español.

People en Español has elected Shakira as the Humanitarian of the Year in the latest edition of the magazine which will be on shelves November 10th. She was recognized for all of her charity work with impoverished children through her own foundation Pies Descalzos and Latin America in Solidarity (ALAS).

“What’s most important is not how much we can give, it’s how,” said Shakira in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE en Español.

“There are people sometimes who help the most just by giving a few words of encouragement, a priceless gesture of love towards a child, which is more valuable than donating money with indifference.”

The singer learned about poverty early on when her family went bankrupt, and her parents showed her that they were far better off than most families who lived harsh lives and orphans who would whiff gasoline and chemicals to forget their hunger and misery. “We had a comfortable life, and then one day I was shown something else. From that day on, I became obsessed to vindicate my family, my family’s economic situation, and to one day help those kids that I saw on the streets,” says the singer.

Be sure to pick up the latest copy of People En Español on news stands November 10th!