Shakira donates $400,000 to Haiti

Shakira has donated $400,000 to help rebuild a Haitian school.

The 'Hips Don't Lie' hitmaker - who performed a concert in New York last year alongside the likes of Wyclef Jean, Sting and Bruce Springsteen to raise money for the Caribbean nation following its devastating earthquake - will also see her donation matched by the Inter-American Development Bank.

She said: "I'm convinced the key to achieve a dignified future for the Haitian people is through education.

"I'd like to say to the girls that this is an enormous opportunity that life is offering you - education. So make the most of it because I'm sure you can achieve any of your dreams."

Last year, the Columbian-born singer raised $600,000 to build schools in Haiti by appearing in an advert for a Spanish cava drink in return for the company, Freixenet, making the donation to her charitable foundation Pies Descalzos.

She explained: "Education is a birthright and a quality education is the only tool that a child has to turn dreams into reality.

"Since I was a girl I have been aware of the tough reality faced by many children."