On November 14, 2024, the Tena Link team had the honor of engaging in a thoughtful and values-driven dialogue with Mr. Muluneh Tesfaye, a respected member of the Catholic community and a committed advocate for family and youth well-being. The meeting was marked by openness, mutual respect, and a shared desire to explore how faith-aligned approaches can strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education in Ethiopia. More than a formal discussion, the encounter reflected a genuine spirit of partnership—rooted in trust, attentive listening, and the belief that health education is most effective when it resonates with moral values and lived realities.

Building Trust Through Faith-Sensitive Engagement
Tena Links engagement with faith communities has been shaped by months of dialogue with parents, youth, educators, and religious leaders. These conversations consistently emphasized that SRHR education must be approached with care—honoring faith teachings, cultural values, and human dignity.

Within the Catholic context, participants highlighted the importance of framing health discussions around family life, moral responsibility, respect for the body, and care for life. This understanding guided our engagement with Mr. Muluneh Tesfaye, whose insights reflected a deep commitment to Catholic social teaching and religious sensitivity.

His willingness to engage constructively on sensitive topics reaffirmed our belief that meaningful SRHR education can be developed in harmony with faith principles.

Faith and Health: Reflections from the Dialogue
During the discussion, Mr. Muluneh emphasized that Catholic teaching upholds the sanctity of life, human dignity, and responsible stewardship of health. He underscored that education—when delivered with compassion and ethical clarity—plays a vital role in strengthening families and communities.

Mr. Muluneh stressed the importance of using non-judgmental, respectful language, particularly when engaging young people, and highlighted the Churchs role in accompanying individuals with empathy rather than exclusion. His reflection that faith should guide and protect human dignity, especially in moments of vulnerability deeply resonated with Tena Links mission.

A Shared Commitment to Human Dignity
As the meeting concluded, the exchange moved beyond structured discussion into warm conversation and shared reflection. The atmosphere reflected a shared commitment to nurturing healthier, more informed communities—where faith and health education reinforce rather than contradict one another.

The encounter affirmed that collaboration with the Catholic Church is not only possible but essential in ensuring SRHR content is ethically grounded, culturally respectful, and religiously sensitive.

Looking Ahead
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Muluneh Tesfaye and the wider Catholic community for their openness, guidance, and trust. Their engagement strengthens our resolve to develop digital SRHR content that reflects Catholic values while addressing real health needs with accuracy and compassion.

At Tena Link, we remain committed to walking alongside all faith communities—Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Evangelical Gospel Believers (Protestant) and beyond—as we build a digital health ecosystem that bridges faith and science, tradition and innovation, dignity and knowledge.

Stay connected as we continue to co-create faith-aligned SRHR content—guided by respect, dialogue, and the shared belief that informed health choices are an expression of care for life and human dignity.