The 13 Suitcases Project

Work starts on our fence

On March 14, 2025, ten sixth form students from Combe Pafford School, together with three adults are flying to Western Kenya to visit Imprezza Academy in Busia. The students plan to decorate several of the classrooms, learn about Kenyan culture, understand the struggles of gaining an education in such a deprived area, before having the opportunity to visit some of the national parks to see the wildlife.

We are going for 10 days and will only to take one suitcase each….. but the airline allows us to take two!

This seems too good an opportunity to miss, so we plan to take out some urgently needed clothing and other items to help Imprezza care for its 320 needy students, most of whom are borders, the best they can.  Catherine has given us this list of items: 

  • Duvets, bed sheets, towels, bars of soap, toothpaste.
  • White socks, grey socks for the boys, black shoes.  
  • Novels (English Lit books), pens, rubbers, geometrical sets. 
  • All underwear for boys and girls , mostly medium and large, a few small and XL. 
  • Most bra sizes are 34, over 36 girls wear 36, over 8 wear 38 and 4-5 who always miss out are 42.
  • Petticoats and night dresses, pants pajamas.

So, we are appealing for good quality used or new items so that we can fill our 13 extra suitcases to take with us.
If you would like to contribute please contact:
Chris at
info@operation-imprezza.org
or Mike  at Mikelock2024@outlook.com or 07889757532  

One of the classrooms we plan to redecorate

More news

Abbots Way walk

Abbots Way walk

Reaching Cross Furzes at 0830Huntingdon Cross 0930Tea break 1000Nun's Cross 12.30 - More dressed up for the Dartmoor weather?A well deserved lunchN. Hessart Tor 14.25 - Looks like your number has grown?Merrivale stone rows 15.00Windy post cross 15.50We made it!...

read more
Support Tomo’s 23 mile walk for Imprezza May 17th

Support Tomo’s 23 mile walk for Imprezza May 17th

Last year Tomo raised over £2,000 for Imprezza on his 102mile walk. In May this year, he is hoping to better that. With the help of friends, Edward 'Tomo' Thompson aims to walk the challenging 23 miles Abbot's Way on Dartmoor. They aim to achieve this in one day...

read more
Imprezza adopts Kenya’s new curriculum

Imprezza adopts Kenya’s new curriculum

Kenya's new Competency Based Curriculum was introduced in January 2026. These students at Imprezza will be some of the first to study under it.  The new curriculum moves away from rote based learning. It puts emphasis on seven core competences namely; communication...

read more
Heavier than normal rainy season.

Heavier than normal rainy season.

People are having to leave their village to take refuge in churches and buildings free from flooding. The school is safe on higher ground but the surrounding villages are affected including the homes of some of our students.

read more
Combe Pafford visit- Windows and a painting party

Combe Pafford visit- Windows and a painting party

Dring our visit last year, the students told us that if we could help with one thing it would be to help cover windows in their dormitory. When it rains, they get drenched and have to pull their beds to the middle of the room which then floods. Fixing the dormitory...

read more
Combe Pafford’s visit .. continued

Combe Pafford’s visit .. continued

Wow! What a special morning! Combe Pafford were honoured with an assembly in which students and staff were introduced to each other. Head pupils gave two lovely speeches which included a warm welcome and poem. It was explained that 11 suitcases had been donated and...

read more