Today we’d like to introduce you to Eya Touglo.
Eya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in West Africa/Togo. As a young girl, I have personally experienced period poverty which instills the desire in me to always want to help women and girls in regards to women’s health specifically healthy periods for all women. Therefore, Fulfilling Destiny was founded in September 2017 after I graduated from San Diego State University with my Bachelor in Health Communication. But before graduation, for my last project, I decided to do it on women and girls experiencing homelessness and how they can care for themselves stay healthy every month when their menstrual circle states? And unfortunately, I was unable to get a local organization that just focus on this important issue for women and girls. And since I was unable to get the local statistics that I need for my project I end up doing a different project for my class. Then founded Fulfilling Destiny a few months later after graduation to help empower and support women and girls in our San Diego community. Since then we have served over 5,500 women and girls with our Dignity Bags through generous donations from our supporters, volunteers, and we have partnered with over 10 local organizations that are also fighting for the issue of homelessness in San Diego.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Due to the fact that period is still a taboo topic is was difficult for me at the beginning to strick conversation with people about what it is that our organization does. Also, getting donations was very difficult and although it is still difficult it is getting better. We now have companies running donation drives on our behalf along with our two drop off locations. and donations can also be made on our website. Additionally, at the beginning, it was just my family and I that was making all the Dignity Bags in our living room then go distribute them. Now we have volunteers and more people from the community are getting involved. I am happy about the work we are doing together in San Diego.
Please tell us about your organization.
At Fulfilling Destiny, we empower women and girls experiencing homelessness through the distribution of monthly menstrual products so that they can have their PERIOD WITH DIGNITY. We are spreading awareness about the importance of period conversation and accessible menstrual products.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would not probably work, raising my three years old son while working on starting Fulfilling Destiny. Because it was challenging, however, I did not let that stopped me instead I used it as my motivation and encouragement to push forward.
Pricing:
- Depending on what other menstrual products or toiletery items that we have for the month, our Dignity Bags cost us about $5 to make. So with $5 donation a women/girl will have her monthly needs taking care of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fulfillingdestiny.org/
- Phone: 619-880-0501
- Email: eya@fulfillingdestiny.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodwithdignity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeriodWithDignity/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/periodwdignity
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulfilling-destiny/
Image Credit:
Fulfilling Destiny
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