AceShowbiz -

Shakira proudly shows off her baby bump in a semi-nude photo with her soccer player beau Gerard Pique. The proud mom-to-be shares a black-and-white photo that sees her baring her pregnant belly while her shirtless partner flaunts his beefed up chest as he holds her tummy. "The countdown begins!" so Shakira writes on her Facebook along with the adorable pic.

She then explains the purpose of the image as she invites everyone to take part in a very special virtual baby shower hosted by UNICEF. "And we'd like to invite you to participate in our world baby shower joining efforts with UNICEF. https://uni.cf/baby," she adds.

The same photo is also posted on the "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" singer's Twitter account, in which she writes, "We'd like to celebrate the imminent birth of our first child with all of you. #babyshower."

Shakira's semi-nude pregnant image, which was taken just days before she is due to give birth to her first child, is projected to raise funds for the United Nations program to help children all around the planet. The 35-year-old Latina diva herself has been serving as the UNICEF ambassadress for many years.

The Barranquilla-born singer is known for her works in some organizations that work for children and education. She founded "Pies Descaloz", which built schools and education centers in Colombia. She also met President Barack Obama and advocate for Latino children in the U.S. to help children who become part of undocumented families.

As for the upcoming virtual baby shower, people can donate $5, $10, $37 or $110 through the event. The money will be used to buy mosquito nets to protect children from malaria. It will also be used to buy anti-polio vaccines, baby-weighing scale, oral rehydration salts and therapeutic food.