For example, they might sell their working or breeding animals or agricultural or fishing equipment. Or they may take out high-interest loans. As a last resort they may pull children out of school.23 They can also reduce the quantity or quality of food, forego medical treatment, or overexploit natural resources.24 All these measures can perpetuate poverty and reduce the incomes of future generations. Different communities in the surrounding areas coped in different ways. Some felt they could not rely on the Government or anyone else and a feeling of mutual distrust emerged, so they resorted to the kanya-kanya syndrome - everyone for themselves.