Footprints for life
About Us

We are a non-profit organization created by renown singer-songwriter and global humanitarian Shakira to improve the education and social development of children in Colombia, which has suffered decades of conflict. Committed to the U.N’s Sustainable Development Goals, we have worked effectively for nearly two decades to bring quality public education to thousands of children in Colombia in its most vulnerable communities.

Our Vision

We want the next generation of Colombians to see education as a vehicle of change to dream, build and fulfill their life project.

Our Mission

We focus our efforts in: 

1. Building proper educational infrastructure projects to increase coverage, access and permanence in school with spaces for learning.

2. Developing pedagogical projects to impact the teaching-learning processes, working hand in hand with teachers to increase educational and labor expectations in the country.

Learn more

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

1997

Shakira creates the Pies Descalzos Foundation in Colombia after her first international success.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2003

Shakira is named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2006

Shakira receives the “Solidarity Recognition” from ayuda en Acción. She also win the Spirit of Hope at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

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2007

Shakira receives recognition from the Charity Persönlichkeit, Bild.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2009

MTV presents the Award “Agentes de Cambio”. She is invited to speak at Oxford University to talk about her philanthropy work as well as the importance of Early Childhood Education.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2010 | 1

Shakira is recognized with the Young Leader Award from the International Young Leaders Foundation, which highlights her trajectory as an example for new generations. After the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, Shakira visited Port-au-Prince and pledged to support education in the country.

2010 | 2

During the month of June, the Mango-Waka Waka campaign was launched, led by Shakira, with the aim of raising funds for the construction of a multipurpose hall in a school in Soweto (Southeast of Johannesburg – South Africa).

2010 | 3

Shakira performed the traditional Freixenet (champagne brand) Christmas commercial, and donated her entire payment for the construction of two new schools in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) and Cartagena (Colombia).

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2011

Former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, names Shakira as a member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2012

At the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena Shakira participated in the ALAS-BID awards for the promotion of early childhood development.

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2013

Order of Princess Isabella (November 20, 2013), granted by the Borbones of India for humanitarian works carried out through the Barefoot Foundation.

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2014

Shakira was recognized as a “Hero” at the Radio Disney Music Awards. This award was given in recognition of her philanthropic trajectory, as well as her work with the children of Colombia and the world that she has developed through the Pies Descalzos Foundation. Best leader in Colombia 2014

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2017

Shakira Mebarak receives the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum for her leadership in education and early childhood development.

fundacion pies descalzos educacion en colombia donaciones shakira

2020

The World Literacy Summit and the World Literacy Council are awarding Shakira the 2020 International Literacy Prize for her significant contribution to global education.

Patricia Sierra

Executive Director

“We educate to transform realities, since education is inclusion and equity in order for all the children to initiate the career of their lives in the same starting line. We can only achieve this with quality education”

Juan Andrés Lemus

Administrative And Financial Management

“It’s passion and it moves us, it is the opportunity to change thousands of children and young people’s lives, this is what really matters and what we feel proud of”

Carolina Quiroga

Project Director

"Education is the most accurate way for two vital social transformations: Reduce inequalities and break down prejudices"

Diego Robayo

Monitoring & Evalutaion Professional

"Education is the main tool of human development for peace building"

Patricia Bernal Arias

Quality Monitoring Professional

“Education is a process of wisdom that guides children in the permanent task of knowledge and creation.”

Claudia Patricia Trochez

Pedagogical coordinator Río, juego y aprendo project

"Education is the most powerful tool we have to change our reality and empower new generations".

Carlos Echeverri

Todos Al Cole Project Manager

"Rethinking education to give children the possibility of being capable, powerful and empathetic humans"

Jhonathan Bernardo Molina Rodríguez

Todos Al Cole Monitoring and evaluation professional

"Education: as a fundamental principle of the development and progress of every society"

Natalia Bernal

Communications and Advocay Coordinator

“Through education we shape children with character and unique values to create a better world"

Alejandra Samudio

Product Manager - Designer

“Let's pursue together the goal that all girls and boys have access to quality education, to have more capable people with more fulfilled dreams in the future"

Stefania Mogollón Duarte

Design Intern

"Education does not create man, it helps him to create himself."

Gina Acosta

Administrative And Human Resources Coordinator

“Educating is orientating, is creating, is giving opportunities, and is making an easier path to do new things”

Nataly Olaya

Accountant

“Education leads us in the search for a better future; contributing with knowledge acquired during a long process of learning and living experiences”

Carol Patiño

Administrative And Accountant Assistant

“With education we empower our children to make wise and informed decisions to forge a better future”

Leydi Manuela Mosquera

Territory Coordinator - Quibdó

“I believe in education as a transforming tool because it draws the most sincere and shiny smiles on the saddest faces”

Kateryne Pamela Ardila Niño

Liaison and Follow-up Professional

"When you are born without privilege, studying is the greatest act of rebellion against inequality."

Irlena Patricia Camargo Pontón

Pedagogical team of Cicle of Care Project - Guajira

Field Technical Specialists - Cartagena

Rosmira Lisbeth Deluque Polo

Pedagogical team of Cicle of Care Project - Guajira

"Education is the opportunity to better yourself and give you a better future."

Silem Loranne Díaz Brito

Pedagogical team of Cicle of Care Project - Guajira

"Education is necessary for the development of all people, starting with childhood. If we educate with love we will form children and adolescents who are confident, compassionate and kind to others because education is the best path to peace."

Álvaro Rodríguez

Operational Manager - Barranquilla

Education is the most provocative tool for knowing the world, interacting with it and transforming it for the common good.

Jeackeline Sánchez

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education is the perfect way to transform the world"

Yuly Paola Ramirez Penago

Pedagogical Manager- Barranquilla

"Education is the passport to the future, the most powerful weapon to change the world."

María Carolina Sará

Territory Coordinator - Barranquilla

"To educate means to transform; to provide human beings with tools so that through their actions, they can turn their environment into a better place".

Vanessa Pacheco

Strategic Alliances Professional - Barranquilla

“Education is our responsibility because it is the tool that allows us to transform, unlearn and co-create the reality of children and our own”

Marlon Guerrero Amarís

Data Analyst - Barranquilla

“Education is a right to learn”

Clayre Nairobis Rosales Guerra

Administrative Assistant - Barranquilla

"Education is the acquisition of skills, values and beliefs that leave an imprint throughout our lives."

Jomadis Martínez Zuñiga

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education allows for autonomous and critical thinking, to build spaces for personal and professional growth."

Rosa Del Valle Salas

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education is one of the most important acts for human beings; their evolution and development depend on it."

Caleb Navarro Lambraño

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education is the foundation for a future that is already here, if there are good foundations, it only remains to build knowledge with solidity"

Andrea Carolina Herrera

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education is the fundamental basis for the transformation and development of a country."

Yarelis María Ríos

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"By bringing about change in children and their families, education also ensures an equitable country."

Elena Espitia

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Education is not preparation for the future; education is the change of the present"

Cruz María Navarro Atencio

Pedagogical team- Barranquilla

Luisa Camila Rodallega Olivares

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"Our task, in terms of creativity, is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more." Loris Malaguzzi.

Ginydlay Rodríguez Correa

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

"The first task of education is to stir up life, but leave it free to develop" Maria Montessori

Leonardo Pastrana

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

“True education is the only one that provides the keys to be fully free.”

Cristian Arévalo

Pedagogical team - Barranquilla

“Education is the tool for the transformation of society.”

Xiomara Núñez

Operational Manager - Cartagena

"Education is an opportunity to transform lives, from the sensitivity and the heart"

Cindy Guzman Martelo

Alliance Professional - Cartagena

"Education transforms thinking and creates purpose in life."

Dayana Mendoza Escobar

Data Analyst - Cartagena

Beti Elena Senior Burgos

Technical Administrative Assistant - Cartagena

"Education is a right to all people in the world"

Karen Yojana Garcés Parra

Territory Coordinator - Cartagena

"I conceive education as a continuous, permanent, dynamic and unfinished process that allows man to transcend and transform his contexts"

Amaury José Elles López

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"Education is the toolbox that helps us create and believe in the world."

Evis Oquendo

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"It is the adventure we should all set sail on, to enrich our life course with a sea of learning."

Luzcerly Contreras Fernandez

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

Jafra Fernanda Rincón

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"I believe in education because I know its transformative capacity."

Kelly Johanna Ortega Torres

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"The intelligence of the mind with knowledge is learned."

Saudy Magdiel Becerra García

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire."

Yara Margarita Fuenmayor Gonzalez

Pedagogical Manager - Circles of Care Project - Cartagena

"Educate to be able to transform in a powerful way"

Daniela Carolina Arteaga Torres

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"To educate is to guide each student toward his or her own universe of possibilities."

Cindy Paola Quintana

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"Educating with love makes a better world".

Águeda Torres Barón

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

"Education is an act of love, therefore, an act of courage."

Yazira Carolina Martinez

"To educate is to create possible worlds"

Carolina Bustamante

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

“Education is a vocation that is carried out with love for the welfare of society, always thinking of the children.”

Estefanía Carreño

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

“May the dawns continue to exist , cohabiting and rescuing the we”.

María Angélica Alean

Pedagogical team - Cartagena

“Education is a process that allows transforming realities from creativity and love.”

Sayra Catherin Rodriguez González

Regional Coordinator - Circles of Care Project - Cartagena

"Education transforms the lives of entire families; it is the right to blaze trails and walk the world."

Luz Meidy Patiño Escudero

Pedagogical Manager - Circles of Care Project - Cartagena

"Education is crucial for human development, equal opportunity and social progress."

Adriana Lucía Torres Rojano

Pedagogical Manager Circles of Care - Cartagena

Leidy Alejandra Rojas Ortiz

Pedagogical manager - Tibú

Karen Yeraldin Ortiz Escalante

Pedagogical manager - Tibú

“Education is a never-ending task, so teachers must teach ‘learning to learn.’

Lorena Vargas

Territorial Leader Río, Juego y Aprendo- Caquetá

Jamy Vanessa Mendez

Pedagogical Facilitator, Río, Juego y Aprendo- Caquetá

Alejandro Santo Domingo

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grupo Empresarial Bavaria S.A. and Valorem S.A. Member and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of SABMiller PLC and member of the Boards of Directors of several NGOs around the world.

Bruce Mac Master

Co-Founder of Compartamos con Colombia and the Granitos de Paz Foundation. In 2012 he was Director of the Department for Social Prosperity and Mayor in charge of Cartagena. Member of the Board of Directors of several NGOs.

Enrique Narciso

Former director of multiple financial institutions. Former Partner and member of the Board of Directors of General de Seguros in Venezuela. Founding partner of technology companies.

Antonio Celia

Former President of Promigas and creator of Fundación Promigas. Former member of the Board of Directors of Empresarios por la Educación and of several Colombian NGOs.

Maria Emma Mejía

Ambassador of Colombia to the UN until 2019. Former Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Ambassador of Colombia in Spain and Secretary General of the UNASUR. From 2003 to 2011 she was President of the Pies Descalzos Foundation.