As the fight continues to free Ashley Oosthuizen from her 33.4-year sentence in a Thai prison, her mom, Lynnette (Lynn) Blignaut, is pleading for global support to help manage the living and legal expenses required to sustain Ashley’s survival and the duo’s legal efforts, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Having graduated high school in George in the Western Cape, Ashley moved to Thailand in 2018 to work as an English teacher. She was later let go from her teaching position on the island of Koh Samui before securing a managerial position at a restaurant, where she regained hope for a ‘stable, fulfilling life in Thailand’.
A dramatic turn in October 2020, however, resulted in tragedy for the then 20-year-old when she was arrested for alleged drug trafficking after she had accepted and signed for a package containing ‘250g of MDMA’ intended for someone else.
Maintaining her innocence during a lengthy legal battle, Ashley (22 years old at the time), who was initially sentenced to death, was able to reduce the wrongful conviction to life imprisonment and then again to 33.4 years.
Having relocated to Thailand in 2022 to be closer to her daughter and advocate for her release, Ashley and Lynn currently await her next appeal in Thailand’s High Court – with no court date set – while Lynn’s savings are quickly depleting.
‘Due to visa restrictions, I am unable to work at present, and as my savings quickly run out, we will soon need to rely entirely on donations to cover Ashley’s prison expenses and my living costs,’ Lynn explains in the BackaBuddy campaign statement.
‘I am doing everything I can to stay in Thailand to visit her, tend to other needs one can only accomplish from the outside, and ensure she is not forgotten, but without the ability to work right now, I will soon face the struggle to support Ashley’s needs as well as my own,’ continued Lynn.
‘And if this is the platform through which the Lord chooses to supply our needs, then I’m reaching out to you today.’
According to the campaign statements, Ashley’s monthly needs (which include necessities not provided for by the prison) amount to around R8 500. Lynn explained that the amount breaks down according to the following elements:
- R4 000 – prison account covering essentials (toiletries, bottled water, laundry, etc)
- R4 500 – special food menu to ensure better nutrition
- R900 – to buy online letters
- R400 – for fuel
- R1 900 – books to aid her mental stimulation and personal growth (spent every three months)
Lynn’s own living expenses, according to the campaign statement, amount to approximately R9 300, which is broken down into the following:
- R3 800 – rent
- R4 400 – groceries and essentials
- R1 100 – reliable transportation
‘Any extra funds raised will be crucial for covering future legal fees, Ashley’s travel expenses upon release, costs pertaining to my Visa and other related costs as they arise,’ adds Lynn.
At the time of publication, the campaign, which was launched just under a week ago, has raised R3 292 – 3% of its R100 000 goal.
For more information and to contribute to the BackaBuddy campaign, you can visit the website here.
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Picture: BackaBuddy campaign
