Evidence continues to emerge that underscores the often devastating effects of poverty on children's ability to learn.

In an article from December 10, 2008, in USA Today, Greg Toppo addresses the results of a study performed on 9- and 10-year-olds who live in poverty. The damage inflicted by poverty conditions on the brain is in some cases compared to the damage inflicted by a stroke. The lead researcher, Mark Kishiyama of the University of California - Berkely, describes it as "a similar pattern to what's seen in patients with strokes that have led to lesions in their prefrontal cortex."

According to Toppo, "the study adds to a growing body of evidence that shows how poverty afflicts children's brains. Researchers have long pointed to the ravages of malnutrition, stress, illiteracy and toxic environments in low-income children's lives. Research has shown that the neural systems of poor children develop differently from those of middle-class children, affecting language development and ‘executive function,' or the ability to plan, remember details and pay attention in school."

However, what I find most significant is this: "Such deficiencies are reversible through intensive intervention such as focused lessons and games that encourage children to think out loud or use executive function."

Perhaps this explains why the picture I see every time I visit a Children International community center - and I've visited dozens - is so dramatically different from the picture painted in the study.

It's not that our sponsored kids don't grow up in poverty; quite the contrary. But spend a little time around our sponsored youth, and you'll soon realize you would be hard-pressed to find sharper, more articulate and more engaged young people in any area of society.

It would be irresponsible to arbitrarily assign causality without engaging in proper research. But I've seen the love and care the staff of our community centers invests in our children. I've seen the many programs they operate to engage children from preschool age on up through graduation from sponsorship. Our children are constantly challenged...constantly mentored...and consistently outstanding in their leadership, character and contribution to their communities.

Whatever the technical reasons might be, sponsored children are beating the odds. Very soon, you'll see a new section on our website that features the successes of sponsorship - real stories of real kids who grew up and took control of their destinies.

Keep doing what you're doing. Sponsorship works.

To read Greg Toppo's article in its entirety, click here.