Shakira, Marquez launch child poverty foundation in Panama

from New Kerala

Pop star Shakira teamed up with fellow Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez in Panama City on December 12 to launch a child poverty foundation.

The twenty -nine year old Grammy winner and the 78 year old Nobel Laureate launched America Latina en Accion Solidaria (Latin America in Solidarity Action), aimed at fighting poverty in Latin America.

"We all have to do our part to fight against inequality,"
ContactMusic quoted Shakira, as saying.

The writer emphasised the startling statistics that 350,000 children under 5 die from causes linked to poverty, and 40 million minors work in the street "Latin America has some devastating statistics," he said.

The duo has also gained the support of Spanish singer Miguel Bose - who will serve as executive director.

Ricky Martin, Juanes and Alejandro Sanz, among other artists, plan to hold five concerts, starting next year (2007), to collect funds for the foundation.

Shakira, also heads the Colombia-based non-profit foundation Pies Descalzos, or Barefoot, which helps the child victims of violence in Panama City.