Does International Child Sponsorship Work? A Six-Country Study of Impacts on Adult Life Outcomes
- alyssa
- 21 hours ago
- 1 min read
Overview
This research outlines three follow-up studies evaluating the psychological and aspirational impacts of international child sponsorship programs across Bolivia, Kenya, and Indonesia.
Aspirations and Expectations: Research in Bolivia and Kenya demonstrates that sponsored children report higher educational expectations (averaging nearly a year more of sufficient schooling) and are substantially more likely to expect future white-collar careers compared to their unsponsored peers.
Psychological Well-Being: An evaluation utilizing children's drawings in Jakarta, Indonesia, reveals that sponsored participants exhibit measurable increases in happiness and self-efficacy alongside a significant decrease in hopelessness.
Broader Economic Implications: The findings suggest that development economics traditionally focuses on external constraints (such as infrastructure and credit), but internal constraints like low aspirations can equally contribute to poverty traps. Addressing these internal factors through targeted initiatives may provide a vital complement to traditional economic interventions.
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