Education matters.

Those two words seem like common sense, but the sad truth is many children around the world (including a share in our country) lack the resources to complete 12 full years of schooling.

My husband and I sponsor a 13-year-old Colombian girl through World Vision. In our letters, I always make sure to ask her how school is going, which classes she likes best, and if she still wants to be an artist when she’s an adult. We talk about how education is the first step to improving financial futures.

Cultural and economic factors play a major role in financial status and societal position, but education helps children break free of those barriers. This infographic speaks for itself: