NEW YORK — Shakira , a longtime activist for Latin America’s poor children, plans to make her Colombian children’s foundation a global one in the near future.

Shakira said Barefoot, known as Pies Descalzos in her native Colombia, will start focusing on children worldwide later this year.

“We have a model that works. Under less than $2 a day, we can provide a kid with top-quality education and the nutrition that they need to be able to function and be able to learn because a kid with an empty stomach cannot learn,” said the singer.

Shakira made the comments Wednesday after appearing at Columbia University.

— From wire reports