Shakira, Mayor Adrian Fenty and Labor Secretary-Designate Hilda Solis Visit DC School in Response to President-Elect Obama's Call to Service

Shakira, Mayor Adrian Fenty and Labor Secretary-Designate Hilda Solis Visit DC School in Response to President-Elect Obama's Call to Service

Internationally acclaimed artist and advocate announces partnership between foundation and Oyster-Adams Bilingual Elementary School to aid needy Colombian school children

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with MLK Day and President Elect Obama's call to service, Shakira, Washington DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Labor Secretary-designate Hilda Solis and DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee joined students and families for a morning of culture and service at Oyster-Adams Bilingual Elementary School. Shakira and Mayor Fenty read to the students and listened to student performances in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Link to photos: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/643891082/a5c2cf4f2fe329d6900c6b08d1218cc2

"It was an honor to join Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Shakira today in support of Oyster-Adams students," said Mayor Fenty. "Both embody the commitment and passion needed to ignite true education reform. Their efforts are a true testament to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and an example of their unrelenting desire for public service."

Shakira and Oyster-Adams Principal Monica Liang-Aguirre announced a sister-school relationship with a Colombian elementary school, Escuela Gabriel Garcia Marquez, located outside of Bogota. Shakira's Barefoot Foundation works with the school, which is largely attended by children who have been displaced by Colombia's internal conflict. Along with service projects, the school will participate in ongoing cultural exchanges with Colombian students. Oyster-Adams students presented Shakira with books donations to launch the relationship.

"Every child, no matter where they are in the world, deserves access to a high quality education," said Shakira. "I was thrilled to visit the Oyster-Adams School today as a part of President-Elect Obama's call to service and to meet the amazing students who will begin a pen-pal relationship with the schools run by my foundation in Colombia."

Shakira's visit to Oyster-Adams is part of her ongoing work to promote universal education and early childhood development. Shakira has been an active advocate and philanthropist since she began the Barefoot Foundation at the age of 18. She is leading voice for children as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the honorary chair of the Global Campaign for Education.

About Shakira:

Shakira is one of the most acclaimed recording artists in the world, having sold more than 50 million albums. She is the 6th highest selling artist of all time and the winner of two Grammys, eight Latin Grammys and countless awards around the globe. Her song Hips Don't Lie, off her second English-language album Oral Fixation II, is the most-played song in the history of US pop radio and the most downloaded song in iTunes history.

About the Barefoot Foundation:

Originally based in Barranquilla, Colombia, the Barefoot Foundation now serves three cities and has helped more than 28,000 of Colombia's poorest children receive an education. The Foundation also provides nutritious meals, extra-curricular activities and psycho-social support to combat child labor, malnutrition and violence. The Barefoot Foundation is currently expanding its work internationally and replicating its successful model of comprehensive primary education.

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Source: The Barefoot Foundation

CONTACT: Diana Baron of d.baron media relations inc., +1-310-315-5444,
diana@dbaronmedia.com; or Jennifer Silberman, +1-202-413-4605,
jsilberman@apcoworldwide.com, both for The Barefoot Foundation

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Profile: International Entertainment