Gate 2 Gate

The Atangana family attend an evening event at RFIS as they consider school options for their 7th grader. The unpaved, poorly lit parking lot do not make a good first impression. They are similarly unimpressed as they attempt to scrape off their mud-caked shoes before entering the buildings. Finally, as they exit the campus and Mr.Atangana pulls out his cell phone flashlight to navigate the dark uneven ground, he thinks, “It is a nice school, but…

”Francis, Thomas, and Jean-Luc are responsible for securing our 15-acre campus at night. The inadequate lighting, easily scalable walls, and numerous hiding spots for potential thieves make them nervous, especially as they recall the multiple break-ins over the past several years.

The RFIS campus was built in a mostly undeveloped area, which has since been enveloped by the sprawling city with its increased traffic and crime. While the spacious campus and natural beauty still provide a conducive learning environment and peaceful escape for visitors, the property is not equipped for the new reality outside the gates. For example, the school entrance gate was designed when there was only one access road, but now the most convenient route requires a 270 degree turn with limited visibility, while blocking traffic from both directions. In addition, the dirt parking lot creates a poor first impression. One Cameroonian staff member has said about the parking lot, “If I brought a guest during the rainy season, I’d have to apologize.”

To create a more welcoming environment and strengthen the campus resiliency by investing in safety and security improvements that will decrease risk, increase prevention and monitoring, and quicken response time.

Investment: $175,000

Specifications (with input from the US Embassy Security team):

1. Modifying the Main Gate:

   • Will facilitate 90 degree turns in and out of campus.

   • Will include an exterior guard shack to eliminate the need to open the gate before ID and vehicle checks.

   • Will include installation of security posts and/or spikes.

2. Paving the drop-off/pick-up lanes and parking lot.

3. Installing new and improved security lights and security cameras.

Benefits:

1. A safer, more welcoming and efficient experience for students, staff and guests, day or night, rain or shine.

2. Enhancement of the school’s “curb appeal” to guests and prospective students.

3. Improved monitoring of the campus enabling quicker detection and response to security concerns.

4. New facilities that enable enhanced security procedures reducing the risk of security issues.