Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
Mayra grew up in one of the poorest favelas of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The favela where Mayra grew up was very violent, with many shootings between people selling illegal drugs and the police.
When Mayra was 11, the violence got so out of control that the army had to stand at the entrance roads to the favela and control who was allowed in. This meant that doctors and teachers who didn’t live in the favela could no longer come into the community and schools and medical centres were forced to shut. Life became very tough.
People like Mayra feared leaving their homes and were denied access to education. Instead of settling for this life of suffering and anguish, Mayra fought for a better life for herself and her community. She organised a peaceful protest against violence in her favela. Mayra and members of her community marched the streets of the favela, demanding that violence around schools needed to stop. The protest was a huge success and it was agreed that the police and people selling drugs would stop firing guns during the hours when children go to school and parents go to work.
Mayra also worked on a documentary about life in the favela, which was broadcast by international television stations. In this documentary, Mayra emphasised the power of young people and what they can do to change the situation. Finally, Mayra has joined the theatre group, Favela Força, which means Favela Power. The group uses theatre to unite people and show the powerful and positive culture of the favela.
In 2008, Mayra was awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize. Mayra nobly donated the money she was awarded to support two projects that help to ensure that children living in the slums receive equal opportunities. Mayra says, ‘It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, politician or farmer, man or woman, young or old. We can, and should, all stand up and make a difference as real change makers.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Inspiring girls to learn about and aspire to work in science and technology subjects since she was 16 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
