When you sponsor a girl, you open the doors to a world of possibility – not just for the girl you sponsor, but for their entire community.

Global experts agree that one of the biggest keys to ending extreme poverty is to invest in the development of girls. Without girls, breaking the cycle of generational poverty isn't possible. Here are just four reasons why:

1. Sponsored girls stay in school longer

Millions of girls never have the chance to set foot in a classroom. Right now, almost one in four girls aged 15-19 around the world is neither in school nor employed, compared to only one in 10 boys. Sponsoring a girl helps change those statistics.

Education is at the heart of World Vision’s sponsorship model, which works to break down barriers that prevent girls from entering the classroom. The benefits of educating a girl go well beyond the classroom: for every year of primary school education that a girl receives, she can increase her future income by as much as 20%. And if she continues on to high school, the benefits are even greater, with her potential wage increasing by up to 25% each year.

Millions of girls never have the chance to set foot in a classroom. Right now, almost one in four girls aged 15-19 around the world is neither in school nor employed, compared to only one in 10 boys. Sponsoring a girl helps change those statistics.

2. Sponsored girls break the cycle of poverty

Decades of research show the burden of poverty weighs heavier on women and girls. It’s usually girls who have to walk long distances to fetch water instead of going to school.

It’s girls who are expected to get married young to give her family one less mouth to feed. And it’s girls who are more likely to be pulled from the classroom to care for the family.

All of these norms combine to trap girls in a perpetual cycle of gender inequality and oppressive poverty that hamstrings the potential of whole families, communities and nations, as well as the girls themselves. Sponsorship tackles that.

3. Sponsored girls are more confident

Sponsorship offers one of the most powerful gifts of all: hope. Knowing there is someone out there not only helping meet their practical needs but cheering them on as they tackle their biggest challenges is a powerful thing. Sponsors are a huge source of encouragement to children — and tangible proof that they matter.

Over and over again, sponsored children tell us that the personal connection they have with their sponsor builds their resilience and confidence to withstand any crisis.

In fact, our surveys indicate that sponsored children who exchanged letters with their sponsors experienced increased hope, happiness, and confidence – all cornerstones to being able to transform their futures.