Interview: Shakira, singer

The only word in the english language without a vowel The song, recorded with Wyclef Jean in 2006, topped the charts in 55 countries, including the US. Her latest single, Gypsy, is a similar tribute to her famous curves, only this time she gyrates for shirtless tennis god Rafael Nadal.

The only word in the english language But Shakira – born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll – is intent on making her advocacy work as well-known as her hips. So what's her cause? Educating impoverished children by building schools and community centres in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in her native Colombia. Her hope now is that other Latin American countries might follow suit by investing in early childhood education.

When I meet Shakira, she is taking an afternoon break from her recording schedule to visit a school in Los Angeles. "I always had the intuition, even as a little child, that I was called for a big project," says the singer, now 33.

"I am sure that many children feel that way, but they don't have the environment that is conducive for them to exploit their potential to its fullest. I was lucky I had those things: caring, loving, educated parents and a good school."

That luck – combined with a lot of hard work – has allowed the singer to promote her causes at the highest levels. President Barack Obama met her last month in the Oval Office to get her advice on education for Latino children in the US.