George, Western Cape, South Africa – Lynnette (Lynn) Blignaut is calling for global support from Thailand, where her daughter, Ashley Oosthuizen (26), has been wrongfully imprisoned for five years now. Lynnette has launched a crowdfunding campaign through BackaBuddy to manage living and legal expenses as they continue to fight for Ashley’s release.
Background
After graduating from Outeniqua High School in George, Western Cape, Ashley moved to Thailand in 2018. She initially worked as a teacher on the island of Koh Samui, but after being laid off, she secured a managerial position at the restaurant Hot in the Biscuit, offering her a fresh start and hope for a stable, fulfilling life in Thailand.
However, her dreams were abruptly shattered on 8 October 2020, when Ashley unknowingly accepted and signed for a package containing 250g of MDMA, intended for someone else. Despite her innocence, she was implicated and arrested, leading to a wrongful conviction.
Heartbreakingly, at just 22 years old, Ashley was sentenced to death. After a lengthy legal battle, her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment and later reduced again to 33.4 years. However, justice has not yet been served. Her next appeal in Thailand’s High Court remains pending, with no court date yet confirmed. If clemency is not granted, Ashley will only be released at the age of 56.
Ashley’s Reality
Despite the challenges of prison life, Ashley has shown remarkable resilience. Her Thai is now excellent, enabling her to communicate and build friendships with fellow inmates. These connections provide mutual support and a sense of security in an environment where vulnerability is a constant risk.
Every day is a battle—to endure, to stay hopeful—but she remains grounded in her faith, and has learned to put her trust in the living God, offering help to others and reading whenever possible, though she is only allowed nine books a year.
Lynnette expressed the heartbreak of being unable to protect her daughter, saying, “Ashley’s resilience, but most of all, my trust in Father God’s care for her, gives me hope despite the uncertain future she faces.”
For years, Lynnette and Ashley were only allowed to see each other through a Perspex divider, speaking for just 15 to 20 minutes, twice a week, at a time via phone, each confined to separate rooms. But on Friday, 24 January 2025, for the first time in nearly six years, Lynnette was granted a contact visit with Ashley—a deeply emotional reunion.
Ashley’s Needs
Ashley still needs financial support for daily survival, as prisons in Thailand do not provide basic necessities—they provide watered-down rice three times a day, often containing questionable foreign objects. To stay healthy, Ashley must buy her own food, toiletries, bottled water (as the available water is not always safe to drink), and pay for laundry.
Lynnette continues to fight for her daughter, saying, “As a mother, I did what any parent would—I uprooted my entire life and moved to Thailand in 2022 to be close to Ashley, visit her, and fight for her freedom. Staying here is crucial, as leaving would be devastating for her. However, due to visa restrictions, I am unable to work, and without a source of income at the moment, and my savings running out quickly, I would soon have to rely entirely on donations to cover Ashley’s daily needs in prison as well as my own living expenses while I remain by her side.”
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To help cover these essential expenses, Lynnette has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. Donations will support Ashley’s daily needs in prison, including food, bottled water, hygiene products, and laundry, which amount to approximately R7,791 per month. Additionally, any unexpected legal costs may arise, adding to the financial burden.
Funds will also help Lynnette remain in Thailand, ensuring she can continue visiting and advocating for Ashley—something vital to Ashley’s mental and emotional well-being. Her living expenses total around R9,010 per month.
Combined, their monthly expenses amount to R16,801. A full breakdown of costs is available on the crowdfunding page.
The campaign has already raised almost R40 000 from 59 donors in just four days, demonstrating Ashley’s incredible support network and the widespread compassion for her cause. These funds are managed through Hearts4Ashley, an NPC established to support Ashley’s fight for justice.
To Support Ashley’s crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, visit here: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/ashley-oosthuizens-fight-for-freedom. Donors are able to make once-off and recurring donations.
A Message from Lynnette
“To everyone who has supported us along the way—whether through donations, prayers, messages, or simply caring about Ashley—thank you. Your kindness and generosity have carried us through the hardest moments, and knowing that so many people care about my daughter means more than words can express.”
Follow Lynnette for Updates
Lynnette posts regular updates on Ashley’s situation and their fight for justice through the following social media pages:
Instagram: @avoiceforashley
TikTok: @ashleyoosthuizen44
Facebook: A Voice for Ashley
YouTube: @avoiceforashleyoosthuizen
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Simbulele Groenewald from BackaBuddy on behalf of Lynnette (Lynn) Blignaut & Ashley Blignaut.
Litha Communications Pty Ltd: Litha Communications Pty Ltd is a PR firm. Their team is headquartered in Johannesburg, South
Africa. The firm provides Public Relations and Event Marketing.
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