Meet Riya Kannan and Hitha Atthipatla

We had the good fortune of connecting with Riya Kannan and Hitha Atthipatla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Riya and Hitha, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

As first-generation Indian Americans, our culture and upbringing have profoundly shaped our perception of health and hygiene. Often, hygiene is considered a “taboo” subject and isn’t openly discussed. Growing up, we witnessed firsthand the challenges of a lack of knowledge on hygiene practices, not just in our local community but also in the rural areas of India where we’re from. These experiences have highlighted the critical need for open conversations around these topics and have profoundly influenced our approach to hygiene advocacy.

In our community, a lack of knowledge about hygiene greatly affects teens without access to necessary resources. Without proper education on basic hygiene practices, many teens are at a higher risk of preventable illnesses and infections.

Similarly, in India, we’ve seen a significant lack of access to basic hygiene products and facilities, making the problem worse. Without adequate hygiene education and resources, communities struggle with higher rates of preventable diseases, which can hinder economic and social development. However, we’ve also witnessed how education and proper resources can make a difference in improving health outcomes and overall well-being.

When communities are equipped with the knowledge and tools to practice good hygiene, the incidence of disease drops dramatically. Providing access to clean water, basic supplies, and hygiene education empowers individuals to take control of their health, leading to healthier, more productive lives.

Our background has created a strong sense of responsibility to address these issues. We are dedicated to breaking the stigma around hygiene and empowering individuals, especially in underserved communities, with the knowledge and tools they need to lead healthier lives.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
TeenClean is an organization that stands out due to its commitment to empowering youth through experience in mental health and hygiene education. We ensure our work revolves around our community, with aspects of our roots and culture. We are incredibly proud of the impact Teen Clean has made not only on our community, but globally. In the DFW area, we have donated over $1000 to local shelters, donated over 3000 products, and brought our community together to support our causes. Globally, we are working on building hygienic infrastructure, donating medical hygiene supplies to overpopulated areas, and educating youth to take care of themselves.

However, reaching where we are today has been far from easy. Our team started very small, and it took an immense amount of effort to reach out to other organizations, gather momentum for our projects, and get things off the ground. Dedication and perseverance were crucial as we faced rejections and setbacks. Now, almost a year later we have reached over 10,000 people, have established 17 chapters around the world, and have over 100 passionate leaders working to make a difference.

Through this journey, we have learned that success rarely comes on the first try. Everything takes time, patience, and dedication. We’ve had to remake, retry, hire, and fire countless times, but every struggle was worth it because of our passion for our cause.

We want people to know that TeenClean is more than just an organization focused on hygiene; it’s a movement dedicated to creating lasting, positive change in global health and empowerment. Our mission goes beyond providing essential supplies; we’re committed to educating communities, empowering youth, and fostering sustainable improvements in health outcomes worldwide.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite things to do is go on long drives, so if my best friend was visiting the area, I’d take them on a drive around Dallas. I would take them to the Deep Ellum, the arboretum and the Arts district to go sightseeing. Afterwards, we would visit local frisco spots like Adriatic village, Legacy West, Grandscapes, the boardwalk and more! Since Dallas is known for its food, I would also take them to local tex-mex and bbq restaurants. We’d also go to Six Flags or catch a movie for some fun activities.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, there are several people who have been crucial in Teen Clean. Our executive team has been crucial in shaping our vision and strategy, ensuring that our projects are not only impactful but also catered to our mission. Their leadership, dedication, and experience have been important in driving our projects.

I also want to acknowledge the community members and volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to our cause. Their commitment to our cause and their ability to work collaboratively have been key to our success. Each person involved brings unique skills and perspectives.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Frisco Family Services. Their support and collaboration have been invaluable in helping us achieve our goals. Their dedication to community service and their partnership in our initiatives have contributed to our success.

Lastly, our parents have been our greatest supporters. They have been actively involved in every aspect of the organization, from marketing and fundraising to providing rides and hands-on assistance at our events. Their unwavering support, dedication, and belief in our mission have been a driving force behind our growth and impact. They have truly gone above and beyond, always extending a helping hand and offering their time and resources to ensure we succeed.

Website: teencleaninfo.wixsite.com/teencleanorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenclean_org/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/teen-clean

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeenClean-wf2tm

Other: Tiktok: @teenclean_org Linktree: linktr.ee/teencleanorg