I dont know for sure. In the book, it mentions the last "giver" in training leaving/dying and all the memories coming back to the people. Part of me wants to think it was a small commune of some sort, and he found civilization beyond the boundaries of the commune. I mean he was able to heat, or cool himself and the child with the memories. As to your question though, I dont know, only the author would be able to clarify the ending.