This week, Oral-B and Crest 3D White announced a donation of $500,000 (USD) to benefit The Pies Descalzos Foundation.
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Founded by global-recording artist and 3D White Global Ambassador Shakira, a native of Barranquilla, Colombia, the foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every child can exercise their right to receive a quality education. The Pies Descalzos Foundation schools demonstrate a sustainable, replicable education model which provides quality education to the most vulnerable people and communities; thereby unlocking their intellectual and social potential.
The sizeable donation will go towards various Foundation projects, one of which is a new school built in Lomas de Peyé in Cartagena, Colombia, the sixth school developed by The Pies Descalzos Foundation. The 3D White donation will help with costs accrued towards the overall structure of the school as well as helping to finalize key details necessary towards its completion. The more than 14,000 square meters Lomas de Peyé school will boast 55 classrooms offering early childhood, primary and secondary education as well as technical training skills in specialized classrooms for older students. It will include a library, auditorium, administrative offices, cafeteria and sports facilities. The designs have been developed by the renowned Colombian architect Giancarlo Mazzanti, who has done important works in the Country. He based his proposal on the concepts of sustainability and bioclimatic design to ensure the welfare of all the generations that go to the Lomas de Peyé school.
“We are honored and humbled to be able to provide support for such a worthy cause,” states Wayne Randall, Global Vice President of Oral Care for Procter & Gamble. “Knowing that this school will help many children in need gives new meaning to the smiles they are sure to share as they learn to read, write and experience the benefits of education throughout their lives.”
Lomas de Peyé is a community comprised of 11 neighborhoods and more than 58,000 inhabitants. It is an area that faces significant poverty, rootlessness, lack of access to public services and low connection to the sewer system. Currently, there are only 4 schools serving the area. The new Pies Descalzos Foundation school will impact more than 1,700 children and their families by providing a quality education, nutrition, income-generating projects and counseling. The school itself will be located in an intersection between the Swamp of the Virgin and the Mountain of La Popa, on land donated by the municipality. The project is also a proposal for ecological improvement. The School will be an environmental barrier that seeks to stop the urban sprawl. Like all of The Foundation schools, the expectation is that the architectural design becomes a landmark of urban planning and social impact, generating positive impact to the entire city.
“To have the support of a global brand like Oral-B and Crest 3D White is so important and gratifying,” said Shakira, founder of The Pies Descalzos Foundation. “To know that I’m partnered with such great people, with such a strong social conscience makes it all worth it. Brands like Oral-B and Crest 3D White send an important message that supporting communities in need is vital, and I’m thrilled to be their Ambassador. I can’t thank 3D White enough for their generous donation.”
Patricia Sierra, Director of The Foundation, continues, “To see the children’s smiling faces when they walk into the school is both moving and rewarding. The school is more than just a building; it’s a legacy to the community. The impact and benefit of 3D White’s donation will be felt by many families for many years.”
To learn more about The Pies Descalzos Foundation go to www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com. To learn more about 3D White go to www.3DWhite.com.
