Four Namibian women from Oshikoto Region who returned home from Vredendal in South Africa’s Western Cape following anti-illegal immigration protests have thanked the government for arranging their safe repatriation but say they now face unemployment and need assistance to restart their lives.

The women told NBC News they left Namibia because of a lack of job opportunities and want clarity on the way forward.

Olivia Jonas lived in Vredendal for six years, where she worked as a hairdresser. “I am at a loss about where to begin. I have children living in a hostel, while others are renting. How am I supposed to manage financially now that I’m unemployed?” she said. “We are appealing to the government to provide us with capital or funding for our business ideas so that we can get back on our feet.”

Hendrina Abner had a full-time job at a company in South Africa. “We are truly grateful to be alive. Some nationals were injured while others lost their lives. The government arranged vehicles to take us to our residences,” she said. “We are calling on the government to provide us with work or land so we do not have to flee to South Africa again. Now I will be going home to do nothing productive. We have land for cultivation but, due to the climate, we do not harvest much; that is why we left for greener pastures.”

Simsolia Hawala said they were forced to leave most of their belongings behind. “The South African authorities and those who were attacking us would not allow us to return with everything we owned. We are therefore appealing to be considered for any work such as cleaning, cooking, or business opportunities because of the experience we have gained,” she said.

The first group of 71 Namibians was repatriated last Sunday, followed by a second group of 14 on Friday.