Shakira has show the world that she is not just another pretty face. She has joined forces with singer Miguel Bose, Howard Graham Buffett (son of Warren Buffett), and singers like Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Mana, Calle 13, and Paulina Rubio to put a concert together for ALAS (America Latina en Accion Solidaria) and also is spanish for “wings”. This organization brings together so many prominent artists and financial impresarios behind a single cause, early childhood development assistance.
Rather than raising money or awarding grants, ALAS is encouraging donations and volunteer support for existing nonprofits. “People are condemned to poverty because there are no exits, or choices,” Shakira said. “And children who don’t receive an opportunity end up as adults being involved with things that they never imagined they would be doing in the first place, like drug trafficking or being recruited into criminal groups.”
It was announced on Thursday that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and American Howard Buffett will donate US$200 million to this great cause. Slim, Mexico’s richest man, will donate US$110 million and his business expertise. Buffett, son of investment guru Warren Buffett, will give US$85 million. The other US$5 million will be donated by people throughout Latin America.
Recently she visited British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to talk about third world education and also went to Capitol Hill in Washington to urge lawmakers to approve more spending to help send the world’s poor children to school.
“There are 40 million children in Latin America who have no access to any kind of development program, who receive no stimulation, nutrition or education and need to be nurtured and taken care of,” she told Reuters.
“Artists have a tremendous power to communicate, to reach people, to woo, to inspire. It’s an important and fundamental part of my life to be able to use my public profile to make certain issues visible, issues that are more important than my own career, that are more urgent and need immediate attention. Imagine what Latin America could achieve if we invest in developing the potential of these children,” Shakira said.
Shakira and Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz will perform a free concert in Buenos Aires on Saturday along with other Latin artists to raise awareness of childhood poverty throughout the continent. A simultaneous concert, fronted by Spain’s Miguel Bose, will take place in Mexico City’s main square.
These videos are in Spanish.
These are pictures of the Press Conference in Mexico:
To watch the events Live they will be shown as follows:
Buenos Aires, Argentina today at 2:30 p.m.
Here is the line-up:
Alejandro Lerner
Alejandro Sanz
Calle 13
Carlos Vives
Chilinguita
Fabulosos Cadillacs
Fito Páez
Gustavo Cerati
Jorge Drexler
La Portuaria
Mercedes Sosa
Paulina Rubio
Pedro Aznar
Shakira
and in Mexico City at 6:00 pm. locally. and the Line-Up is:
Aleks Syntek
Ana Torroja
Babasónicos
Chayanne
David Bisbal
Diego Torres
Emmanuel
Juan Luis Guerra
Juanes
Los Tigres del Norte
Lucero
Maná
Miguel Bosé
Ricardo Montaner
Ricky Martin
Tania Libertad
Timbiriche
Click here to watch the shows Live!
To make a commitment you don’t need money, Click Here
For more information you can visit ALAS foundation
