The idea for the CleanPlate Nutrition and Therapy Project began during visits to children’s homes, where we would donate foodstuffs, mentor the children, and spend time playing and engaging with them. During these visits, we noticed striking differences in some of the children—their behaviors, responses, and social cues. Some showed little interest in interaction, others struggled with coordination, drooled, or even reacted aggressively, and many displayed developmental delays such as limited speech or difficulty maintaining attention.

As we listened and learned, we discovered that many of these children were living with silent disabilities—conditions like autism, sensory processing disorders, or developmental delays that often go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Yet in informal settlements, therapy services are far out of reach—not only because the cost is well beyond what most families can afford, but also due to stigma and lack of awareness that discourage families from seeking help.

Nutrition is another critical challenge. Many families survive on less than a dollar a day, making it impossible to provide the balanced meals children need for healthy growth and development.

From this realization, CleanPlate was born: a program that provides nutritious meals, targeted therapies, and holistic care. Every service is offered at no cost to the children or their families, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or diagnosis, has the chance to grow, connect, and thrive.