To spread awareness of a health promoting lifestyle and an understanding of diabetes and other “lifestyle” chronic diseases, the team of Tene Briut lecturers deliver presentations to the Ethiopian-Israeli community in Amharic through community centers and clinics, absorption centers, hostels for the elderly, etc. The presentations have a visual component and the presenter encourages the audience to interact by asking questions and discussing concerns arising from traditional health beliefs or poor understanding. Most locations receive a series of lectures covering a range of health topics relevant to the community. Part of Tene Briut's unique approach has been to design a presentation on the importance of physical activity – this lecture is delivered by qualified physical exercise instructors, and uses Ethiopian music and traditional dance movements to help promote regular physical activity as a lifestyle change. Tene Briut involves local leaders to provide credibility and influence to their message of health promotion, and conclude meetings with glucose screenings for the audience. In 2009, over 290 presentations were delivered with an average audience of between 18 to 25 people.
Specially designed educational materials are distributed at the presentations, to reinforce the information delivered through the lectures. Bearing in mind that 70% of immigrants who left Ethiopia were functionally illiterate in their native Amharic, the materials rely greatly on visual images, using traditional social settings and themes.
Tene Briut distributes the following educational materials:
- A short film introducing diabetes and describing why it is a new health concern for Ethiopians now living a western lifestyle in Israel
- A short humorous film on the importance of good nutrition and the dangers of obesity, featuring a well known actor from the community
- A film clip of an exercise lesson given by an Ethiopian-Israeli physical education teacher, accompanied by traditional Ethiopian music
- An illustrated information leaflet on diabetic foot care featuring traditional figures, specifically for those with poor literacy skills
