At Tena Link, we believe that technology is more than just lines of code—it’s a bridge to dignity, understanding, and wellbeing. On July 6, after months of remote teamwork, our frontend and backend software developers gathered in person for a transformational full-day retreat at Wabi Shebelle Hotel in Addis Ababa.

This wasn’t just a technical sync. It was a meeting of minds and missions. We came together to review progress, align on future goals, and strengthen the heart of our digital product—a mobile app designed to deliver culturally and religiously sensitive SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) content for Ethiopian communities and beyond.

The day opened with a series of deep, focused discussions on architecture, UI/UX, content integration, and data security. We also explored new ways to ensure that our app is not just functional, but compassionate and inclusive—meeting users where they are, both culturally and spiritually.

But the impact went far beyond technical planning. Over a warm lunch and shared coffee, we swapped stories about why we joined this project in the first place. We talked about growing up in communities where SRHR topics were taboo, and how meaningful it feels to build something that can break silence with care and respect.

There was laughter. There were games. There were moments of vision-sharing and personal encouragement, where each developer was reminded that their contributions matter—not just to a product, but to people’s lives.

Together, we reflected on the deeper purpose of our work:

• To code with cultural awareness.
• To design with dignity in mind.
• To innovate in a way that respects faith, tradition, and truth.

This meeting reignited our shared commitment to use technology for good—and to make Tena Link a digital space where empathy meets expertise.

We left not just as colleagues, but as co-builders of a movement—committed to creating digital tools that empower, educate, and uplift.