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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.’
