It was not the reward he was expecting for working four hours on the streets every day, he says, but that bag of rice was the difference between survival and starvation. Mukatu also chose to continue working, but many others left after hearing their only payment would be a bag of rice to take home every Friday, and a bowl of rice for lunch. Gerilldine Muhali (25) says she joined because she thought the initiative could become a job opportunity – or a full bag of rice at least. Gariseb said the group agreed to the rice payment, informing him that “they did not have it at home”, upon which he immediately requested a rice donation from the Omaheke Regional Council. He said the three offices together with the group agreed on the rice because of a lack of funds.