Humanitarian Storytelling and Strategic Communication

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Ruthilla Digital is a strategic communications and creative media agency based in Juba, South Sudan.

We help humanitarian, development, and purpose-driven organisations communicate their impact clearly, ethically, and powerfully. This builds trust, increases visibility, supports evidence-based decisions, and influences meaningful change.

In complex contexts, important work is often misunderstood or overlooked—not because it lacks impact, but because it isn’t communicated well. We bridge that gap.

Using ethical storytelling and high-quality visual documentation, we turn field realities into credible, compelling narratives that inform, engage, and drive action.

A blurred white dog with brown spots lying on a beige carpet.

About Us

What We Do

We specialise in documenting programs in fragile and complex contexts, with experience across:

  • We document access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices—showing how these interventions improve health, dignity, and daily life.

  • We capture frontline health services, nutrition programs, and community health interventions—highlighting improved well-being, recovery, and access to care.

  • We document programs that support vulnerable populations, ensuring stories are told with sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect for dignity.

  • We show how economic empowerment programs create income opportunities, resilience, and long-term stability for individuals and communities.

  • We capture initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, dialogue, and conflict resolution—showing how communities move toward stability and cooperation.

Work With Us
Four children sitting close together, with one wearing a yellow headscarf, smiling and appearing in a relaxed setting, displayed on a laptop screen.

The Impact We Help You Achieve 🚀

Our clients receive more than content—they gain communication tools that directly support their programs, partnerships, and long-term impact.

Clear, Visual Evidence of Program Impact

We produce credible, field-based visual documentation that shows not just what was done, but what changed. This helps organisations clearly demonstrate results to donors, partners, and internal teams.

Strong Materials for Donor Reporting and Proposals

Our content is designed to align with donor expectations—combining visuals, narratives, and context that strengthen reports, proposals, and funding applications.

Compelling Stories for Advocacy and Communication

We transform complex program work into stories that are easy to understand, emotionally engaging, and strategically aligned—helping organisations communicate their mission more effectively across campaigns, presentations, and digital platforms.

Increased Trust from Stakeholders and Partners

Through ethical storytelling, accurate representation, and high-quality production, we help organisations build credibility and trust with donors, partners, and the communities they serve.

What Our Clients Say

We work closely with humanitarian and development organisations to solve real communication challenges in complex environments. Here’s what our partners say about working with RUTHILLA Digital:

  • A man with brown hair and a beard standing outdoors in a park during fall, wearing a brown jacket over a blue shirt, with trees in the background.

    Storytelling That Strengthened Humanitarian Impact

    “Mr. Joel brought a thoughtful and impactful approach to visual storytelling. His work went beyond capturing images—he translated complex humanitarian and development efforts into clear, compelling stories that strengthened communication and supported UNICEF’s work in South Sudan.”

    - James Maiden, Former Chief of Communications, UNICEF. South Sudan

    ★★★★★

  • A woman with long dark curly hair standing indoors, wearing a black and red sweater and a red scarf, in front of a plain wall with a mirror and a couch.

    Documenting Crisis with Accuracy, Dignity, and Respect

    “Joel [RUTHILLA] accurately documented the South Sudan flood crisis, capturing both the scale of the emergency and the human realities on the ground. Beyond his professionalism, the quality of his work was outstanding.

    Colleagues at Solidarités International South Sudan recognised his ability to work with sensitivity and respect, ensuring that communities affected by severe hardship were represented with dignity.”

    — Giulia Bertoluzzi, Field Communication Officer, Solidarités International

  • Close-up of a man in a suit and red tie smiling at the camera.

    Incredible Storytelling That Strengthens Communication

    “RUTHILLA demonstrated strong familiarity with their filming equipment—including sound and lighting—which they used effectively to highlight key areas. Their artistic strengths in directing, writing, and sound design further strengthened the storytelling, resulting in high-quality content that clearly communicates impact.

    This work contributed to stronger communication of the USAID Afia WASH project, supporting how results were presented to stakeholders and enhancing the project’s visibility and engagement.”

    — Dennis D. Mwanza, PhD., Former Chief of Party, USAID Afia WASH Project

    ★★★★★

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with dark hair, wearing a light-colored shirt, smiling softly.

    They regularly kept the team up to date on their progress.

    “Bebe of “RUTHILLA Digital” worked with Save the Children in South Sudan and the Global Education Cluster.

    Bebe carefully took on board feedback in several rounds of reviews so that the video could be refined and adapted into a finished product that is being used extensively externally for promotional purposes by Save the Children and the Education Cluster”.

    Ben Munson | Localisation Specialist Global Education Cluster.

  • A woman with short, natural black hair, dark skin, and a small nose piercing, wearing a black and white houndstooth patterned top, looking directly at the camera against a white background.

    Dependable and reliable partner

    ”We have found them dependable partners during this period as they deliver efficiently on contracted services with minimal supervision.”
    - Scovia Charles, Communications Coordinator, World Vision

    ★★★★★

  • Side profile of a man wearing glasses and a collared shirt.

    Simply the best and easy to get along with.

    “They are wonderful team players. Optimistic, engaging and easy to get along with, they fostered many positive relationships within our organization and our partners..”

    - Lobson Kajawua, Action Against Hunger

    ★★★★★

  • Close-up of a woman with short black hair, wearing a colorful yellow, black, and white patterned dress and a beaded necklace, outdoors with a wooden fence and tree in the background.

    Bebe was an asset to CCC

    During the development of CCC new site till now. They worked very hard with the organization under, my supervision to advocated and fundraise for resource to develop the new site. They are very organized, knowledgeable, responsible, and diligent.

    We achieved so much of what we have today and steer the organization out of the many past challenges to looking forward to a better future”

    Helen Murshali Boro, Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC), Juba, Executive Director

  • Young woman with glasses and long dark hair smiling, wearing a white T-shirt with a green and white logo on it, standing in front of a green and white logo on a yellow wall.

    Working with you all has been a breeze and a joy!

    “The technical expertise, availability, patience and professionalism of Bebe Joel and Sheila Ponnie, ready to go above and beyond to chase footage and stories”

    - Sofia Minetto, Communications and Advocacy, Welthungerhilfe South Sudan

    ★★★★★

Our Clients

At Ruthilla Digital, our success shows in the feedback from those we’ve helped. For over 14 years, we’ve worked with 20+ groups—from aid to development—to complete 500+ campaigns in South Sudan and beyond. This page honors those partnerships, sharing the logos and stories our clients trust us to tell. Each story reflects our dedication to quality, creativity, and meaningful results.

Our Clients

World Vision logo with orange arc and white star
Save the Children logo with red figure and text
Action Against Hunger logo with green leaf and blue water droplet symbol.
LM International logo with purple and orange elements.
World Relief logo with blue abstract cross design
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung logo with stylized "A" and text.
Logo of Solidarités International featuring a red circular symbol with hands and the text "solidarités international."
Logo of the Embassy of Ireland featuring a green harp and text."
Logo with a stylized plant illustration and the text "welt hunger hilfe" on a green background, accompanied by the tagline "For a world without hunger."
DT Global logo with stylized sunburst graphic.
Logo of Malaria Consortium with the text 'disease control, better health' on a teal background.
Logo with the word 'INTEGRITY' next to a blue and white triangular loop design.
UNICEF logo in blue with globe, child, and adult figures.
JICA logo with blue and red design elements, featuring text 'Japan International Cooperation Agency.'
World Health Organization logo with emblem and text.
USAID logo with text 'From the American People' and emblem featuring clasped hands and stars and stripes shield.
Logo of South Sudan Education Cluster with an open book icon and colorful lines underneath."}
German Cooperation logo with red, yellow, and black colors and "Deutsche Zusammenarbeit" text.
Strømme Foundation logo with globe and heart design
Green circular logo with the word "SPACE" and the phrase "Building Resilient Communities" underneath.
A plain white background with no visible objects or details.

Our Core Services

Creative Media Production

  • Film & Video Production

    We craft powerful visuals that raise awareness, support causes, and showcase impact—documentaries, testimonials, fundraisers, and campaign videos that move and inform.
    Learn more
    A group of people conducting a photo or video shoot outdoors in a natural setting with mountains in the background. Equipment includes cameras, tripods, and large studio lights with umbrellas, in a grassy area.

  • Photography

    We capture real human stories on location, at events, or in the studio, providing clear, high-quality images for reports, campaigns, and publications.
    Learn more
    A man kneeling on the ground with a camera with a telephoto lens, aiming it as he takes a photograph in a field of green plants, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

  • Audio & Sound Production

    We produce clear, professional audio for humanitarian podcasts, interviews, ads, jingles, and voice-overs to ensure your message reaches all.
    Learn more
    A man wearing a black Nike shirt and a backwards cap recording in a radio studio.

  • Live-streaming & Broadcasting

    Expand your live audience with reliable multi-camera streaming for launches, conferences, and events, plus full technical support and post-event editing.
    Learn more
    People watching a football game on a large outdoor screen, seated on blue bean bags, with city buildings and hills in the background.

  • Animation & Motion Graphics

    Use motion graphics, explainer videos, and custom drawings to make data and messages clear and engaging for campaigns, training, and social media.
    Learn more
    A woman working at a desk with multiple computer screens, editing videos, in an office with a large monitor and background shelving.

Communication & Strategy

A man being interviewed or recorded, sitting on a wooden chair, with a UNHCR banner behind him, and a video camera filming him in a conference room with table, chairs, water bottles, and a laptop.
Group of children in school uniforms sitting on the grass listening, surrounded by adults, some of whom are filming or photographing. The scene is outdoor with trees and buildings in the background.
Unicef worker filming a woman with a cellphone in an outdoor area with solar panels on a roof.
Two people working together in a modern office, looking at synchronized computer screens and a large TV, discussing a project or video, with one person pointing at the desktop screen and the other typing.
A woman working at a computer editing a video in an office, with a large monitor and a smaller screen displaying different scenes and editing software.
Group of people filming and taking photos at an outdoor market or event in a desert-like area, with tents and stalls in the background.
A group of people filming an elderly woman in a rural outdoor setting with a wooden fence behind them. The woman is seated on a purple chair, wearing an orange shawl and a patterned headscarf. The group includes a woman with a tablet and several men
Two children in a boat on a lake, with one filming and the other holding a stick. A man stands in shallow water outside the boat, handing something to the person with the camera. The scene is set in a rural area with grass, water plants, and distant
A man sitting in a green boat on a water body, holding a camera, with tall grass, trees, and a cloudy sky in the background.
Two women and a lady in an office with portraits and flags, one woman in blue is seated on a brown leather chair, another woman in beige is sitting in front of a camera, a lady is seated behind a desk with photos and an official flag, a camera on a t
A man wearing a plaid shirt, face mask, and headphones filming with a professional camera in an office setting.
Two men in business attire having a discussion in an office, with one pointing at a computer monitor and the other holding papers.
A group of men wearing construction helmets and white shirts, some with name tags, standing against a white guardrail on a paved road, being filmed by a man with a camera, with green trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Man in green plaid shirt operating a professional camera at an outdoor event with people in the background.
A man wearing glasses and a blue t-shirt operating a video camera on a wooden table in an indoor setting with blue window frames.
A person operating a professional camera on a stabilizer during an indoor event while wearing a face mask, with people seated at a table in the background.
Two men on a film set, one with a camera and a large lighting reflector, discussing or preparing for a shoot.
A man operating a professional camera on a tripod outdoors, with two women, one seated and another standing, in the background near traditional huts and greenery.
A modern workspace with a white desk holding a laptop on a stand, an external monitor, a smaller laptop, and a large TV screen mounted on the wall, with headphones hanging on a hook, a speaker, a small fan, and a pair of scissors.
A man wearing headphones operating a professional camera outdoors with a partially constructed wooden structure in the background.
A young boy digging in the dirt with a shovel while two men, one with a camera and another with headphones, record him outdoors.

Trusted by brands like…

Plain white background
World Vision Proud Supporter logo in white with a star symbol.
Logo of Solidarités International with stylized hands forming a circle above the text.
International Trade Centre logo with text on a black background.
Blank white image
White background with no visible objects or elements.

Where stories come alive.

Watch sample projects to see how we turn ideas into strong, moving visuals.

Watch more
A smiling woman wearing a colorful headscarf and dress stands in a cornfield, holding an ear of corn.

A smiling woman wearing a colorful headscarf and dress stands in a cornfield, holding an ear of corn.

A woman in a colorful dress and headscarf is smiling in a cornfield.

A woman in a colorful dress and headscarf is smiling in a cornfield.

A woman in colorful clothing holding a large bunch of bananas at a market stall, smiling at the camera.

A woman in colorful clothing holding a large bunch of bananas at a market stall, smiling at the camera.

A person holding a bunch of fresh, green okra at a market, with potatoes in the background.

A person holding a bunch of fresh, green okra at a market, with potatoes in the background.

Two young children, a boy and a girl, standing outdoors in front of a makeshift shelter. The boy is eating a piece of corn and has a leaf with two round fruits hanging from his hand. The girl is smiling, wearing a light-colored dress. There is a thir

Two young children, a boy and a girl, standing outdoors in front of a makeshift shelter. The boy is eating a piece of corn and has a leaf with two round fruits hanging from his hand. The girl is smiling, wearing a light-colored dress. There is a third child in the background near trees and greenery.

A young boy in camouflage shirt sitting by a tree, writing in a notebook, while a group of children sitting on the ground watch him.

A young boy in camouflage shirt sitting by a tree, writing in a notebook, while a group of children sitting on the ground watch him.

Group of children sitting outdoors under trees, some taking notes or reading, with a boy in the front also reading or writing on a notepad while sitting against a tree.

Group of children sitting outdoors under trees, some taking notes or reading, with a boy in the front also reading or writing on a notepad while sitting against a tree.

A young boy sitting outdoors while writing or drawing in a notebook. Behind him, a group of children sit on the ground, some holding notebooks and pencils, in a natural setting with trees and greenery.

A young boy sitting outdoors while writing or drawing in a notebook. Behind him, a group of children sit on the ground, some holding notebooks and pencils, in a natural setting with trees and greenery.

A small stone and wood water fountain with a narrow concrete channel leading to it, set outdoors in a natural setting with trees and bushes in the background.

A small stone and wood water fountain with a narrow concrete channel leading to it, set outdoors in a natural setting with trees and bushes in the background.

A pineapple growing among green leaves in a plant field.

A pineapple growing among green leaves in a plant field.

A man walking with a donkey that is pulling a cart loaded with sticks in a rural area with a few buildings and others walking in the background.

A man walking with a donkey that is pulling a cart loaded with sticks in a rural area with a few buildings and others walking in the background.

A group of young children with dirt-smudged hands and faces smiling and making peace signs outside near a wall and a thatched structure.

A group of young children with dirt-smudged hands and faces smiling and making peace signs outside near a wall and a thatched structure.

Four children wading through shallow water near a lake at sunset, with trees in the background.

Four children wading through shallow water near a lake at sunset, with trees in the background.

A young boy in a yellow shirt stands in a small boat on a narrow waterway, holding a long wooden pole, with reed fences and greenery on both sides.

A young boy in a yellow shirt stands in a small boat on a narrow waterway, holding a long wooden pole, with reed fences and greenery on both sides.

A woman with a blue face mask under her chin feeds a young child a snack. The woman wears a patterned head covering and a cream-colored shirt, while the child has a necklace and is being supported safely in her lap. In the background, a blue banner w

A woman with a blue face mask under her chin feeds a young child a snack. The woman wears a patterned head covering and a cream-colored shirt, while the child has a necklace and is being supported safely in her lap. In the background, a blue banner with white symbols is visible.

A young child with wide eyes, wearing a yellow shirt with a car design, is being held by a woman in a floral top. Both are wearing face masks, and they are seated beside another woman with a patterned dress, also wearing a face mask.

A young child with wide eyes, wearing a yellow shirt with a car design, is being held by a woman in a floral top. Both are wearing face masks, and they are seated beside another woman with a patterned dress, also wearing a face mask.

Interior of a spacious warehouse with stacks of bricks, packaged goods, and blue sacks on pallets, with a high ceiling and windows allowing natural light.
Interior of a large warehouse with high metal ceiling, stacked pallets of bricks, bags, and wrapped packages on the concrete floor.
Interior view of a warehouse with blue sacks stacked on a pallet in the foreground and stacks of cardboard boxes and other goods in the background.
A large warehouse with a high ceiling filled with stacks of building materials, including bags of cement or similar in the foreground, and bricks and other materials in the background.
Large stacks of neatly organized cardboard boxes stacked inside a warehouse.
Interior of a warehouse with large stacks of cardboard boxes on pallets, metal walls, and a high ceiling with skylights.
Interior view of a warehouse with stacks of cardboard boxes arranged in several piles along the concrete floor, with a high ceiling and metal walls.
Stacks of cardboard boxes stored inside a warehouse, arranged in multiple layers on a concrete floor.
Stacks of packaged food products in a large warehouse, including boxes of snacks and other items organized on pallets.
Stacks of boxes of Jolly Jus instant flavored powdered drink on a warehouse shelf, with additional boxes of canned product in the background.
Stacks of cardboard boxes of various brand names, piled inside a warehouse with metal walls and ceiling.
Stacked cardboard boxes labeled 'El Bawadi' in a storage area.
Stacks of boxes labeled 'Jolly Jus' orange-flavored powdered drink mix, arranged on two different levels inside a storage area.
Stacked boxes of Jolly Jus assorted flavored drinks, including orange, cola, pine, raspberry, blueberry, mango, and orange, with labels indicating South African manufacturing and distributorship details.
Multiple stacked cardboard boxes labeled "Jolly Jus" with flavor options: Orange, Cola, Pine, Raspberry, Mango. Additional text includes manufacturing details, made in South Africa, and product description in multiple languages.
Piles of tomato paste boxes in a warehouse, with colorful packaging featuring red and green colors and Arabic and English text.
Stacks of boxes of tomato paste in a warehouse with a metal roof and walls, stacked on a white tarp.
Large storage warehouse filled with stacks of boxes and pallets containing various products.
Stack of boxes of Davita brand aromatic drinks with a smiley face wearing sunglasses and a cap logo.
Stacks of cardboard boxes stored inside a warehouse or storage facility
Stacks of cardboard boxes, primarily labeled Dabar Herbi and Davita, stored in a warehouse with a metal-paneled wall.
Stacks of boxed products in a warehouse, including cardboard boxes labeled 'Sabrina,' yellow packages, and boxes labeled 'Daher Herb'.
Stacks of cardboard boxes stored in a warehouse with metal roof and walls.
Stacked yellow plastic containers and cardboard boxes in a warehouse.
Warehouse with stacks of orange cheese blocks, Sabrina cheese boxes, and wooden pallets in a large industrial space.
Large stacks of cardboard boxes inside a warehouse with a high metal ceiling and a concrete floor.
Stacked boxes of chicken flavor instant noodles in a storage room.
Stacked brown cardboard boxes with red text and white straps in a warehouse.
Stacked cardboard boxes labeled Tiger Head Batteries with red text, secured with white straps.
Workers in yellow shirts unloading a shipping container inside a warehouse.
People working inside a warehouse, loading and unloading large shipping containers from a truck.
Workers in bright yellow shirts unloading a shipping container in a large warehouse.
Group of five workers loading a truck with boxes inside a warehouse.
Workers unloading boxes from a shipping container into a warehouse.

Super easy process..

HOW WE WORK.

We guarantee a smooth and appealing media production process with our collaborative approach.

  • To fully understand your story, objectives, and intended audience, we'll collaborate directly with you. This guarantees that the right audiences will connect with your documentary and that your message will be delivered clearly.

  • We guarantee that your documentary will be a work of art in the making, from the amazing images that our talented videographers, film directors, cinematographers and will capture to the superb audio recording.

  • You will have a powerful means to promote awareness, solicit donations, or meet your particular business objectives with a professional end video that includes detailed words, subtitles, and captivating visuals.

A woman wearing headphones writes in a notebook, sitting next to a tripod with a camera. Another person in a red vest with text on the back is partially visible. The setting appears to be an outdoor area with temporary structures.

START YOUR PROJECT TODAY

Get a free quote for your video project.

All of our video packages are accessible and competitively priced, which allow us to work with business of all shapes and sizes. If you’re interested in working with us, we’ll happily provide you with a detailed quote based on your unique business needs.

⚡️ Get a free quote →

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST

Frequently asked questions.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

  • "Ruthilla" is an abbreviation for our core principles, which are outlined below. Reliability, Uniqueness, Teamwork, Humanity, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, and Arts.

    Reliability: We constantly choose sincerity, respect other people's time and our own, learn how to manage our schedules, communicate pro-actively, fulfill our commitments, and develop self-discipline.

    Uniqueness: We always strive to be authentic, expanding our horizons by generating fresh, intriguing ideas and innovative approaches in our work to stand out from the crowd.

    Teamwork: We value teamwork and work closely with clients to ensure the best possible work.

    Humanity/Honesty: We show love and care for each other and the people we serve by doing good things together and we communicate openly throughout the entire production process.

    Integrity: In everything we do, we like to be honest and show that we always follow strong moral and ethical principles and values.

    Leadership: We ensure that production goals are met efficiently while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.

    Loyalty: We are loyal to our customers and always do our best to please them. We want long-term engagement and productivity, and we're ready to go above and beyond in our work.

    Arts: We use our imagination to produce unique and engaging content.

  • For video, the answer depends on several things, for example:

    • Whether we’re filming in one location or several

    • How long we need to allow for filming and how large a crew we need

    • How complex the edited video is – especially if it involves animated elements

    • Whether we’re producing a single video or several related videos

    For animation, the costs will depend on:

    • The style and complexity of animation (for example 2D versus 3D)

    • Whether we are working with existing assets such as characters or whether these need to be created from scratch

    • The duration of the final animation

    Most importantly, we work with clients who have a range of budgets, so whatever your requirements we can find a solution.

    Contact us today and we can talk through your options before providing a detailed proposal and cost breakdown.

  • Every project is different, but broadly speaking the production process can be broken down into three phases:

    Pre-production: This is when we work with you to learn all about your business and together define what it is you need from video. Some of the questions we might explore are: Who is your target audience? What platforms do you want to publish on? What are the key messages you want to communicate?

    From there we’ll create a video outline and/or detailed script, confirm budgets and arrange any filming dates with you.

    Production: AKA ‘filming’. This is bit most people think of when they talk about creating videos. Our crew will capture all the required footage – such as interviews, event footage or product demonstrations. We might film at your premises, at our studio or at some other locations relevant to the video messages.

    Post-production: Once we’ve captured all the footage we’ll get to work on the edit, crafting the footage into a coherent narrative and adding graphics, titles and music as appropriate. You’ll have chance to review one or more drafts and give feedback before everything is finalized.

  • This depends on the type of job. For simple talking heads interviews or case studies we can provide a ‘self-shooting’ videographer, who will work alone to capture all the necessary footage.

    However our preference is for a two- or three-man crew, consisting of a producer/director to oversee the filming and conduct interviews, plus one or two camera operators to concentrate on the visual and technical aspects. This ensures the key messages of the video are covered more effectively.

    For more complex filming requirements we may also recommend extra crew members, such as additional camera operators, a sound recordist, or a drone operator. These will all be costed separately in our quote.

  • As a starting point we’ll arrange a face-to-face meeting or ask you to fill out a short questionnaire to help us understand the project requirements. From there you can have as much or as little input into the scripting, filming and editing as you’d like. In any case we’ll keep you informed at every step of the process.

    For animation, we generally agree the key messages with you and then we work on a draft script and a suggested visual style for review. However we’re also happy to work from a full script or storyboard provided to us.

  • We film everything on professional broadcast-quality 4K video or even higher cameras and use additional kit – such as radio mics, lighting kit, or green screen – where appropriate. We continually invest in new kit and software to keep up-to-date with the rapidly changing standards of the industry.