Shakira and Gerard Pique
World-famous singer-songwriter and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Shakira and FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué are inviting friends and fans to join their online baby shower – in support of the world’s most vulnerable babies.
The 35-year-old Columbian singer - who is expecting her first child, a baby boy, with Gerard Piqué, to arrive "imminently" - has invited fans to join the couple’s virtual charity bash, where people can purchase essential baby gifts that will support UNICEF and benefit some of the world's most poorest babies.
“To celebrate the arrival of our first child, we hope that, in his name, other less privileged children in the world can have their basic needs covered through gifts and donations,” reads the invitation from Shakira and Gerard which was posted on Twitter yesterday. “Thank you for sharing this unforgettable moment with us.”
"Every expectant parent around the world shares all the same hopes and dreams for their children that we do" - Shakira
Expecting their first baby, the couple decided to share the excitement using innovative social media tools. The online baby shower engages social media fans by welcoming them to visit Shakira and Gerard’s virtual living room.
There, guests are welcomed by a personal video message from Shakira and Gerard and can learn about the issue of child survival and purchase an ‘Inspired Gift’ to help give babies around the world a healthy start to life. UNICEF’s Inspired Gifts are real, life-saving items distributed to children and communities in some of the poorest corners of the globe.
At the baby shower, Inspired Gifts cost as little as £7, which buys vaccinations to protect 50 children from contracting this incurable viral infection, while £31 purchases life-saving salts for at least 100 children to help them recover from diarrhoea and dehydration. Buy 245 sachets of life-saving peanut paste, enough to bring three severely malnourished children back to health.
Shakira said: “Every expectant parent around the world shares all the same hopes and dreams for their children that we do.
“Yet many don’t share the same opportunities. Together we know we can change that.”
The highest ticket item is £69 which provides 245 sachets of life-saving Therapeutic Food, a peanut-based paste, and enough to bring three severely malnourished children back to health. Malnutrition is a constant threat to children in many regions of the world and leads to half of all child deaths.
After purchasing an 'Inspired Gift', fans will then receive a personal thank you message from the couple, and be able to view exclusive, never seen before photos of them taken in December 2012 by Jaume Laiguana, which are featured in the Baby Shower’s photo gallery.
Shakira has been dating FC Barcelona soccer player Gerard for around two years and previously said he is the "best thing" to ever happen to her, until she got pregnant.
She said: "This man is the best thing that could have happened in my life. And now the baby!"
Shakira only confirmed their relationship last year by posting a picture of them both together on Twitter and Facebook with a caption reading, "I present to you my sunshine." in Spanish.
Some 19,000 children under the age of five still die globally every day from largely preventable causes. The Inspired Gifts, given in this unique way, will undoubtedly help save more lives.
Under-five mortality has dropped from nearly 12 million in 1990 to less than 6.9 million in 2011. But much more can be done, and innovative projects like Shakira and Gerard’s virtual baby shower with UNICEF will contribute to reducing unacceptably high levels of child mortality.
To find out more or to purchase an ‘Inspired Gift’, visit Shakira and Gerard Pique’s Virtual Baby Shower here: www.unicef.org.uk/shakira
Tagged in Shakira Parenting Charity Gerard Pique Baby Parenting News