Aira Kawamoto

Aira Kawamoto (17), is from Brazil, living in Japan. At just 15, Aira Kawamoto traveled to Mozambique to stand up for vulnerable children. She witnessed the realities of sexual exploitation and saw how limited sexual education, gender inequality and sexual violence can put children at risk. A Japanese-Brazilian raised in Japan, Aira speaks both Japanese and Portuguese and uses her background to build bridges between communities.

Aira used her own savings to make her first trip and later led a crowdfunding campaign that raised a significant amount of money. With the funds, she created picture books and “Care Dolls” that help children learn about their rights and protecting their own bodies. In August 2025, she returned to Mozambique and held workshops at 16 locations, reaching more than 1,600 children and community members.

Aira also met with the Minister of Education of Manjacaze and local school principals to advocate for child protection. Her message has reached even further online, with her Instagram content on child protection surpassing 1 million views.

Aira has achieved an extraordinary digital impact, crossing the threshold of 1,000,000 views on her viral Instagram content regarding child protection.