The Pies Descalzos Foundation announced the construction of four new schools in the cities of Barranquilla, Cartagena, Quibdó and Tibú, in Norte de Santander. This initiative, according to the Colombian singer’s foundation, hopes to impact around 5,000 girls and boys per year, giving them access to quality education.
Between 2019 and 2020, 170 million children worldwide, including 10 million in Colombia, were unable to attend in-person classes, leading to a 30% increase in learning poverty by 2021, According to figures collected by Pies Descalzos, in 2023, school dropout in Colombia was 3.1% in primary school and 4.5% in secondary school. These alarming figures have prompted the Pies Descalzos Foundation to intensify its efforts throughout the country.
By 2024, the Pies Descalzos Foundation has assured that its mission is to continue offering quality educational opportunities, especially in vulnerable communities. With the construction of these four new schools, the Foundation seeks to “close educational gaps” and promote “equal opportunities” for all boys and girls in the country.
“In a context of significant educational challenges, such as the shortage of schools and school exclusion, the Pies Descalzos Foundation continues its work in Colombia during 2024, intensifying its efforts to close gaps and promote equal opportunities for all children in the country,” the foundation says.
Educational projects
The Foundation implements eight educational projects that span the entire educational trajectory of students: Circles of Care, River, Play and Learn, Transiting School, Everyone to School, Music for Peace and Coexistence, Young Entrepreneurs, Creating Together, and Innovation Classroom. According to the foundation, these projects are designed to strengthen the learning process and empower the educational community.
The Foundation has built and intervened in 19 Pies Descalzos schools nationwide and is currently building four more. The organization claims to have provided support to more than 300 public schools across the country, strengthening access to quality education for vulnerable communities. According to its figures, more than 224,000 girls, boys and young people have benefited from educational projects, along with 12,000 teachers and 32,600 families.
On the other hand, they highlight, it has supported more than 38,000 families, providing guidance and support to ensure that boys and girls have access to quality education and can build a successful life project.