Christina Aguilera visited her father’s homeland for the first time as part of the Yum! Brands’ initiative to reach out to poor and hungry children in the region. Aguilera serves as a volunteer spokesperson for Yum’s World Hunger Relief program.

.@xtina Christina Aguilera Travels To Dad’s Native Ecuador For The First Time http://t.co/xyJ8Gi6O6G pic.twitter.com/hv0nSG5FPc

— Latina Magazine (@Latina) September 30, 2015

The award-winning pop diva has already visited Rwanda, Haiti, and Guatemala but her recent trip to Ecuador was special to her in many ways. “This particular trip was sort of extra-special for me because it is my blood and heritage. My father was born in Ecuador and my grandfather was born in Quito,” Aguilera told the Associated Press in an interview on Monday. There she saw how the people in refugee areas were struggling to survive. According to her, she especially chose to visit Ecuador because she has always wanted to see where her father came from since she did not have a “consistent relationship” with him all her life.

I recently visited Ecuador w/@WFP for @yumbrands World Hunger Relief effort. Very moving. http://t.co/9kP2rlWjWp pic.twitter.com/bnHKHOyNq5 — Christina Aguilera (@xtina) September 29, 2015

Aguilera visited schools and launched a feeding program as part of Yum’s relief efforts, and witnessed how kids have to travel far to get to their schools.

In line with this, the singer filmed a public service announcement to raise hunger awareness, which is set for release next month.

Yum! Brands Inc. said they have amassed $600 million in cash and food to be donated to the UN World Food Programme and other humanitarian organizations. Aside from the Public Service Announcement, Aguilera has also been disseminating information through World Hunger Relief posters in well-known food establishments like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC and through the website HungerHope.com.

Today @yumbrands launches their World Hunger Relief campaign w/@WFP Read More: http://t.co/zMje7XsHFX #FeedtheWorld pic.twitter.com/gKSwWIVy0f

— NYSE (@NYSE) September 29, 2015

“It’s good to know where you come from and sort of get to know your roots ”said Aguilera.

“It felt that much better to me that I was in a place that I felt so connected to and was able to give back to.”