Digital Storyteller at Raleigh International
A message from Génecis Moreno - Operations Manager at Raleigh International Costa Rica
”Your passion for storytelling and for understanding the people behind those stories is truly fascinating. We have loved working with you in Costa Rica, and we hope our paths cross again in the future.
Thank you so much for all your support, it is incredibly valuable to us to keep showing a different side of Costa Rica to the world. We are going to miss you.”
Working as an Expedition Photographer and Storyteller managing the Raleigh Costa Rica’s Instagram site
Foreword:
Filling my walking boots with my clothes to stop scorpions from getting in, purifying rainwater when our water supply ran out, travelling up a mountain on the back of a quad bike, and carrying a rucksack filled with food and water across steep terrain and vast distances - it was an adventure of a lifetime.
I met young people, community leaders, elders and conservationists who reminded me how powerful storytelling can be when it’s rooted in authenticity and purpose. Their resilience, knowledge, and passion for protecting biodiversity and cultural identity left a lasting impact on the way I want to work in the future.
During the project, I managed the Costa Rica Instagram page and saw strong results:
- Followers grew by 35.8%
- Engagement increased by 214.9%, with likes up 189.9% and shares up 708.3%
- Impressions grew by 202% and reach nearly tripled
- Publishing volume rose by 714.7%, with hundreds of stories and dozens of reels and carousels
I also created long‑form content throughout the expedition and excited to bring these stories to life in a deeper way.
ENVIRONMENT
One of the many reasons that makes Costa Rica so special, is its incredible wildlife and nature. Around one third of the country is now connected through 40+ biological corridors, creating passage for wildlife to move and live safely
During my time on Raleigh, I spent time working in Parque Nacional Rincón de la Viejaand the surrounding areas, to learn more about this unique biodiversity and support the community initiatives striving to protect them. I story produced and filmed the following projects:
The Camera Trap Research Project - shining a light on the wildlife that can only be seen under the stars through night cameras and showcasing the importance of the data collected.
The ‘Parataxonomist Programme’ - the longest running research centre of it’s kind in the world. A study of that focuses on documenting and understanding biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. At our base was the caterpillar research centre, where we learnt that even the smallest species help tell a much bigger story.
Meet The Rangers - a profile film series with those who dedicate their lives in protecting our wild spaces. The National Park is 34,000 acres and during my time on the project, I was lucky enough to visit three ranger sites- learning about the unique ecosystems that live there and support the team in their mission in showcasing the parks importance.
COMMUNITY
Ancestral traditions remain at the heart of Indigenous territories across Costa Rica, preserved through generations of community members passing down language, philosophy, and cultural practices. During my time there, I explored what it means to be Indigenous in the modern world and the growing importance of cultural preservation within rapidly changing societies.
From the Cabécar territory in the mountains of Alto Almirante to the Bribri territory of Yorkín near the Panamanian border, I lived in remote villages deep within the country’s landscapes. Immersing myself in daily community life gave me the opportunity to document contemporary Indigenous culture through a human and editorial lens.
Language and philosophy became central themes within my creative work. Living alongside the communities allowed me to learn organically, experiencing traditions through everyday moments and shared experiences.
During my time in both territories, I lived with the rhythm of daily life. We slept on the floors of the classrooms part of the schools where we were working. Through this experience, the importance of education was a constant reminder. I spent a lot of time speaking with the Directors of the schools and they shared stories about the extreme lengths teachers and students make to attend each day - some even risking their lives through their daily commute.
Through conversations with teachers and school directors, I documented the deeper importance of the work taking place there - not only improving learning environments, but helping to empower young people through education, opportunity, and self-belief.
“Education is for all kinds of people. And we want to believe in young people because they have many opportunities to develop themselves for growing up to change this community, this province, this country and the world.”
Katherine - Director at Yorkin High School
Below is a selection of visual stories captured while living and working within the Cabécar and Bribri territories. Extended film work coming soon.
