Claperton arrived at Ngamo with a strong academic record already behind him, distinctions in mathematics and science

among his proudest achievements, built on a broad base of subjects: mathematics, physics, biology, geography, English

and agriculture.

He was raised by his mother in Dampa village, where the family depends on subsistence farming, a living made harder

by unpredictable weather and repeated drought.

That academic grounding is what pulled him toward the science behind wildlife, crop and animal production specifically,

rather than treating the three as unconnected subjects. What motivates him is how scientific thinking maps onto the

natural world, and the chance to use that to protect wildlife while lifting agricultural output for the people who depend on the land.

He wants to apply what he is learning to help improve wildlife populations, and to give his community access to scientific

farming methods and modern machinery that make agriculture more efficient. He pictures a future bringing modern,

science based methods into agriculture while standing as a conservationist who protects wildlife deliberately, not by

guesswork.

“What keeps me going is remembering the stakes, and trusting the process no matter how difficult things get.”

Previously at Dampa Secondary School. Claperton is now part of the training programme at Ngamo Vocational College and Livestock Farm.