Carel’s latest challenge wasn’t just about physical fitness — it was about healing and giving thanks for the “second chance” he felt he’d received. In 2024, a devastating firestorm in Jamestown left him with a broken back and pelvis, forcing him to face the terrifying possibility of permanent immobility. For months, he had to learn how to walk again. Even walking 100 meters with crutches felt like a small victory.
During this time, the support from their community carried them through.
Marié recalls, “We were blown away… My children came home every day with a Woolies bag full of food. People took time to come visit, to speak with Carel. It reminded us how important it is not to live in your own bubble,” she said.
But slowly, day by day, strength returned.
“That’s when I realized — I think I’m getting stronger and better now… it felt so good just to be able to move again and have that freedom again,” Carel shared. With his mobility restored, he set his sights on something few have ever completed — the Extreme Triathlon.
Only around 15 people have ever achieved it. It involves three grueling events: running the Comrades Marathon, cycling the 2130km Freedom Challenge, and rowing the 240km Berg River Canoe Marathon — back-to-back. Carel had attempted it before in 2023, but this time was different.
“I realized that I have the ability and the mobility… I’ll be doing it out of gratefulness and just, you know, being in that position where you would be deprived of things — just to realise again how grateful you should be for the blessings you have,” Carel shared.
Carel, running the Comrades Marathon
The Meeting That Changed Everything
While Carel was taking on the Extreme Triathlon, Marié and Carel started thinking about how they could give back, inspired by his renewed ability to move and live fully. It was during the Freedom Challenge — that the Bothas reached out to find someone who needed help. Through a neighbour in Jamestown, they were introduced to Lizzie and her son, Requelmy, an 18-year-old who had been paralyzed since birth and had lived for years without a proper wheelchair.
Carel and family, after completing The Freedom Challenge
Moved by his story, Carel decided to dedicate the remainder of Carel’s epic journey to raising funds for a custom wheelchair for him.
Carel, having recently regained his own mobility, felt an immediate and deep connection to Requelmy’s struggle.
“It brought tears to his eyes… it was so sad for him that an 18-year-old guy is stuck in the situation where he has to wait years for a wheelchair,” Marié said. “He knows how it feels to not be able to move freely the way you want to… it was a perfect match.”
Powered by Gratitude, Fueled by Community
The couple launched a BackaBuddy campaign on 24 June 2025 with the goal of raising R18,000 to buy Requelmy a custom wheelchair. In the weeks that followed, 35 donors — a mix of family, friends, and generous strangers — helped them exceed their goal, raising R22,250.
The journey to that victory was not easy.
“My arms really started paining… I thought, I’m not gonna make it. I won’t be able to use my arms any further… it was a tough, dark time,” Carel remembers from the Berg River Canoe Marathon. “I had a little prayer when things were really hard… and moments after that, it seemed like things just became easier.”
Carel, after finishing the Berg River Canoe Marathon
Paying It Forward
Requelmy’s wheelchair has now been ordered — a life-changing gift, made possible by Carel’s endurance and the generosity of the community. But the Bothas aren’t stopping there. With an extra R3,000 still available, they’ve reopened the campaign to find their next mobility buddy who needs a wheelchair.
“We know it’s not us. We’re overwhelmed with the feedback… it’s just amazing what happened. It’s quite awesome,” Marié said.
They’ve already reconnected with their community to identify their next mobility buddy. Their hope? That this ripple of kindness continues — one wheelchair at a time.
“To everybody that donated — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You enabled this change for the Mobility Buddy. It’s just phenomenal.”
Carel’s story reminds us that even the most difficult moments can be turned into purpose. Through sheer grit, heartfelt gratitude, and the power of community, he turned his own trial into someone else’s triumph — and he’s just getting started.
Please consider sharing this story — because every share, every donation, and every kind word helps move someone closer to freedom, independence, and hope.
A few days before her 7th birthday, Carley Rose Meyer from Benoni, Gauteng, went from being a happy, energetic little girl with what her mom thought was a common virus, to being rushed to ICU with dangerously high blood sugar levels.
On 2 July 2025, Carley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Overnight, her world—and her family’s—changed.
Where there were once carefree days, there are now insulin injections, sugar checks, strict routines, and the weight of medical decisions far beyond a child’s years. But Carley faces each day with a resilience that has touched the hearts of many.
“Even when I wake her at midnight for insulin, she tells me, ‘Mommy, I’m okay,’” says her mom, Elisabeth Meyer. “She’s the bravest person I know.”
A Bond Like No Other
At home, Carley shares a deep and intuitive bond with her older brother Riley (9), who is autistic. While the world can feel overwhelming for Riley, Carley is his constant—his comfort.
“They have a love that doesn’t need words,” says Elisabeth. “When Carley was in hospital, Riley cried every day. She’s his person.”
As a single mom, Elisabeth is the steady force navigating both children’s unique needs. “It’s a lot,” she admits. “But they’re my everything.”
A Small Machine, A Big Difference
In her search for ways to ease their daily challenges, Elisabeth discovered the Aquazone Ozone H₂O Machine—a natural therapy believed to help regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support neurological balance. She launched a crowdfunding campaign onBackaBuddy, hoping to raise R25,000.
To her surprise, the goal was reached in just two days.
“I thought the website was broken,” Elisabeth recalls. “Then my phone rang. My mom and sister were crying. We had done it. For the first time that week, I could breathe.”
More than R31,200 has now been raised by just seven donors—including one anonymous champion who gave the campaign its final push.
“To that person: you changed our lives,” says Elisabeth.
Finding Strength in Small Moments
Thanks to the generous support, Carley now uses the Aquazone therapy daily. While not a cure, the treatment offers a glimmer of relief—and hope. The family also believes it may help regulate Riley’s sensory and emotional responses.
“I just want them both to feel like kids again,” says Elisabeth. “To have more days filled with joy than pain.”
When asked why she wanted the machine, Carley simply said: “Because it will help me feel better.”
For her mother, that was all she needed to hear.
On her seventh birthday, Carley was allowed one special treat—her first sweet bite since her diagnosis. “She savoured every bite of her cupcake,” says Elisabeth. “It was just a cupcake—but to us, it was everything.”
Riley sat beside her the whole time, smiling quietly.
Continuing the Journey
Although the original goal has been reached, the campaign remains open to help cover therapy for Riley, special dietary needs, and ongoing medical expenses for both children.
“With more support,” says Elisabeth, “we can give them what they need to thrive.”
This story has reminded many that compassion often comes from strangers—and that hope can arrive in the smallest of gestures.
In Carley’s words: “Thank you for helping us. I want to be strong and happy again. I love my brother, and I want him to be okay too.”
And from Riley: “Thank you for loving my sister. I love her too.”
Cape Dachshund Rescue (CDR), a devoted team of five wonderful women working across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Garden Route, and Free State, recently raised more than R43,000 in a heartfelt Mandela Day campaign to help their most overlooked rescues—senior dachshunds who’ve lost their families, their homes, and often, their health.
With 92 senior dogs currently in foster care and monthly veterinary expenses exceeding R40,000, this Mandela Day campaign asked South Africans to contribute R67 or more to support dogs who are often deemed “too old to matter.” The response was moving.
“We asked the public to contribute toward our vet bills, which exceed R40,000 a month, and the response was overwhelming,” said a spokesperson from Cape Dachshund Rescue. “Thanks to this campaign, we’ll be able to continue providing essential treatments, surgeries, and comfort to some of the most vulnerable dogs in our care.”
When You’ve Lost Everything, Love Still Finds a Way
Cape Dachshund Rescue, founded in 2014, is entirely foster-based. Each dog is placed in a home environment, not a kennel, where they receive more than just food and medicine—they receive love, stability, and a second chance.
In 2017, CDR launched the Frosty Face Foster Programme, an initiative pairing senior dogs—aged 10 and older—with elderly people between the ages of 60 and 80. Adoption fees are waived, and CDR covers all veterinary expenses for the lifetime of the dog. “It’s companionship without the fear of financial strain,” the team explains. “It’s love without condition.”
These foster stories are deeply personal. One that continues to touch hearts is that of Billy and Aunty Bea.
Billy was nearly euthanized at a local vet before CDR stepped in. He and his sister were rescued, rehabilitated, and eventually Billy was placed with Aunty Bea, an elderly woman living alone.
“He became her world,” the team shares. “She would knit blankets to raise funds for the rescue. Billy followed her everywhere. He was always at her side.”
When Aunty Bea passed, Billy seemed to let go too. He was diagnosed with cancer not long after and was gently put to rest.
“It’s as if he knew she needed him until the very end,” the team reflects. “He waited for her. Then he let go.”
Every Dog Has a Name. Every Life Has Meaning.
The CDR team manages everything—transport, vet appointments, adoptions, and fundraising—while working full-time jobs. None of them receive a salary.
“Everything we do is for the dogs,” they say.
But the pressure is constant. Vet bills continue to climb. Many dogs need urgent procedures—tumour removals, dental surgeries, chronic medication, and special food.
“We do what we can,” the team says, “but some dogs are still waiting for treatments we can’t afford yet. That’s what keeps us up at night.”
Since the Frosty Face Foster Programme began, 191 senior dogs have found loving homes—191 second chances, 191 quiet victories. The joy is found in the small things: paws padding across wooden floors, tails wagging, naps on sunny porches, and the silent comfort of presence.
“We get messages all the time,” the team says. “‘He just climbed into my lap and fell asleep.’ ‘She hasn’t stopped wagging her tail.’ It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need words.”
What Mandela Day Was Always Meant to Be
This month’s R43,000 raised will cover one month of vet care—a month of relief, stability, and rest for the dogs who’ve survived abandonment, illness, and heartbreak.
The funds were raised through Cape Dachshund Rescue’s heartfelt BackaBuddy campaign, which received support from 81 compassionate donors across the country. Their generosity is not just a number—it’s warm meals, critical surgeries, pain relief, and the comfort of knowing these senior dogs are not forgotten.
“We cannot express how grateful we are that our supporters stepped up to the plate like they did in celebration of this Mandela Day. As Mr Mandela said: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” And at Cape Dachshund Rescue we choose to interpret that as the difference we have all made in the lives of the more than 3000 dogs we have rehomed and the same number or more of humans who have gained a furry friend in the almost 11 years of our existence. We appreciate your generosity and constant support more than we can ever say. Your support makes our work worthwhile. Thank you,” the team says.
Donations for Cape Dachshund Rescue and the Frosty Face Foster Programme are still welcomed on their BackaBuddy campaign link here:
In the heart of Franschhoek, surrounded by vineyards and dreams, a wedding and events coordinator, Eldorét Visser (38), was living what seemed to be a fairy-tale life. Newly married and mother to a beautiful baby girl named Olivia (19 months), she was juggling the demands of motherhood and a thriving career at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate, until life took an unimaginable turn.
In August 2024, just weeks before Olivia’s first birthday, Eldorét discovered a lump in her left breast. “I thought it was a clogged milk duct from breastfeeding,” she shared. But her father, Joe Breytenbach (79), an orthopaedic surgeon, urged her to get it checked. What followed was a whirlwind of tests, biopsies, and devastating news.
Pictured above:Eldorét Visser with her husband, Jaandri, and their beautiful baby girl, Olivia
“On 16 September 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I remember sitting in the doctor’s chair, clutching my husband Jaandri’s (30) hand, unable to stop the tears. It felt so unfair.”
While raising a toddler and planning weddings for other families, Eldorét quietly endured months of aggressive chemotherapy, first one session every three weeks for four months, followed by weekly sessions for 12 weeks. “Each session came with nausea, exhaustion, mouth sores, and an immune system that couldn’t keep up. But there’s no chance to rest with an 18-month-old at your feet.”
As if fate hadn’t dealt a heavy enough blow, her father was diagnosed with colon cancer midway through her treatment. Genetic testing, an R8,000 cost not covered by medical aid, confirmed a high likelihood of recurrence. The news prompted Eldorét to make a gut-wrenching but lifesaving decision: a double mastectomy with advanced reconstructive surgery.
The surgery, a 9 to 12-hour oncoplastic procedure, was performed on 5 May 2025. “I was incredibly anxious leading up to it. They removed the tumour, drained lymph nodes, harvested fat cells from my abdomen, and reconstructed my breasts. I spent three days in ICU battling nausea, low blood pressure, and fainting spells. But I pulled through.”
Pictured above:Eldorét with her mum, Madi Breytenbach
She was discharged on day six. Movement remained restricted, and she could no longer lift Olivia or drive. Her parents stayed to help with school runs and house chores. On 21 May, doctors confirmed: “All the wounds are healing. There’s no evidence of cancer. I’m well on the road to recovery.”
Eldorét’s physical transformation was only part of the battle. “Cancer is as much in your head as it is in your body. I started antidepressants and leaned on loved ones. Losing my hair was one of the hardest parts, it felt like losing part of my identity. I wore a wig to work because no bride wants to see a sick wedding coordinator.”
Through it all, she remained anchored by her faith, her husband, and her daughter. “I waited 38 years for a baby, and Olivia is our greatest joy. Spending time with her kept me focused.”
Still, the cost of survival was staggering, over R500,000. Her upgraded medical aid covered just 15%. In desperation, a friend named Chantelle White (40) encouraged her to launch a campaign on BackaBuddy. “I was too proud to ask for help. But Chantelle said, ‘You’ll be supported.’ And she was right. I wept with every notification. The funds enabled me to pay my surgeon and go for surgery. I was blown away.”
Pictured above:Eldorét holding baby Olivia wears her wig with quiet strength after bravely losing her hair.
With the help of 86 incredible donors, Eldorét’s campaign raised over R79,000, exceeding her R70,000 goal.
To those who contributed, Eldorét says:
“Thank you seems like such an insignificant word to express my gratitude, you have changed my life and given me more time with my daughter. For that, I cannot thank you enough.”
Looking ahead, Eldorét hopes to use her experience to raise awareness around breast health. “God carried me through this. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I want my story to bring hope to others who are still fighting.”
Thanks to the generosity of strangers, the support of her family, and her own unyielding courage, Eldorét has defied the odds, and is now cancer-free, embracing a future she once feared she wouldn’t see.
“I believe I’m destined to be the best Mom, wife, and woman I can be, and now, I finally have the chance to be her.”
Aadam Forgan (43), from the Deep South of Cape Town, is preparing to run the Outeniqua Half Marathon on 26 April 2025—while bravely facing stage 4 colorectal cancer. Diagnosed in 2023, just months after his sister was also diagnosed with cancer, Aadam has undergone major surgery and grueling chemotherapy sessions. Now holding onto hope for a life-saving liver transplant, he’s channelled his passion for running into something bigger—raising over R31 500 for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa) through his BackaBuddy campaign, to support children on their own cancer journeys.
A Journey Through Adversity
Growing up as the eldest of three in Cape Town’s Deep South, Aadam learned resilience from his athletic father. After losing a kidney at age 14, he turned to surfing and running, discovering the peace and strength both sports offered. Two decades later, he built his own construction company, mentoring young tradespeople and embracing the challenges of the industry.
Photo above: Aadam Surfing
When his sister was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at the end of 2022, doctors urged the entire family to get screened. Aadam’s colonoscopy revealed stage 4 cancer with eighteen liver metastases—yet he had experienced no symptoms. Today, he faces chemotherapy sessions that can last six to eight hours.
“When I go in for chemo, there’s a separate ward for kids,” he reflects. “Through the curtain, sometimes you’ll hear laughter. Other times, tears. I’ll unplug my IV stand, walk with my six drips to the window overlooking the freeway, and let my own tears fall quietly—so I don’t disturb the others. Those children and their families are never far from my mind.”
Running for Hope
Despite the physical toll of treatment and surgery, Aadam has trained steadily since his operation last November. Running, he says, is more than exercise—it’s proof of survival.
“When I run, I feel very optimistic and hopeful, because I know how much I’ve overcome to even have the opportunity to run. I wanted to share this hope with others and help kids facing the same challenge my sister and I are confronting. It didn’t matter if I raised R100 or R10 000; dropping a pebble of hope can start a much bigger wave.”
His BackaBuddy campaign, launched just 13 days ago, has already surpassed its R20 000 target, with over R31 500 raised by 47 generous donors. Every rand supports CHOC’s work—from hospital visits to family counseling—ensuring that children with cancer and their loved ones receive vital care and comfort.
Photo above: Aadam with his son
With each kilometer he conquers on 26 April, Aadam will carry the spirit of the children he met in the chemo ward. His campaign isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a powerful reminder of community strength and shared hope.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who has donated to this campaign, and also thank you for the support and kind words. This means the world to me.”
Aadam’s campaign on BackaBuddy is still open for donations here:
George, Western Cape, South Africa – Lynnette (Lynn) Blignaut called for global support from Thailand, where her daughter, Ashley Oosthuizen (26), had been wrongfully imprisoned for five years. Lynnette launched a crowdfunding campaign through BackaBuddy to manage living and legal expenses as they continued 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, which offered 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.
Pictured above: Ashley Oosthuizen
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 had not yet been served. Her next appeal in Thailand’s High Court remained pending, with no court date yet confirmed. If clemency was not granted, Ashley would only be released at the age of 56.
Ashley’s Reality
Despite the challenges of prison life, Ashley showed remarkable resilience. Her Thai became excellent, enabling her to communicate and build friendships with fellow inmates. These connections provided mutual support and a sense of security in an environment where vulnerability was a constant risk.
Every day was a battle—to endure, to stay hopeful—but she remained grounded in her faith, and learned to put her trust in the living God, offering help to others and reading whenever possible, though she was 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.
Pictured Above: Ashley Oosthuizen with her mom, Lynnette Blignaut. (January 2025)
Ashley’s Needs
Ashley still needed financial support for daily survival, as prisons in Thailand did not provide basic necessities—they provided watered-down rice three times a day, often containing questionable foreign objects. To stay healthy, Ashley had to buy her own food, toiletries, bottled water (as the available water was not always safe to drink), and pay for laundry.
Lynnette continued 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 was crucial, as leaving would be devastating for her. However, due to visa restrictions, I was 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 remained by her side.”
Crowdfunding on BackaBuddy
To help cover these essential expenses, Lynnette launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. Donations supported Ashley’s daily needs in prison, including food, bottled water, hygiene products, and laundry, which amounted to approximately ฿14,700 (R7,791) per month. Additionally, unexpected legal costs could arise, adding to the financial burden.
Funds also helped Lynnette remain in Thailand, ensuring she could continue visiting and advocating for Ashley—something vital to Ashley’s mental and emotional well-being. Her living expenses totaled around ฿17,000 (R9,010) per month. Combined, their monthly expenses amounted to ฿31,700 (R16,801). A full breakdown of costs was available on the crowdfunding page.
The campaign had already raised over R64 000 from 96 donors in just one month, demonstrating Ashley’s incredible support network and the widespread compassion for her cause. These funds were managed through Hearts4Ashley, an NPC established to support Ashley’s fight for justice.
“To everyone who had supported us along the way—whether through donations, prayers, messages, or simply caring about Ashley—thank you. Your kindness and generosity carried us through the hardest moments, and knowing that so many people cared about my daughter meant more than words could express.”
Follow Lynnette for Updates
Lynnette posts regular updates on Ashley’s situation and their fight for justice through the following social media pages:
Lynn Blignaut, the devoted mother of #AshleyOosthuizen, has shared a heartfelt message of thanks to the 95 generous donors who have supported their BackaBuddy campaign.
Thanks to your kindness through once-off and monthly recurring donations, over R62 000 has been raised — a true blessing that will help cover their living expenses for the next 3.5 months while Ashley remains behind bars in Thailand.
Watch the video to hear Lynn’s message of gratitude: https://youtube.com/shorts/E6n-saAcbWA?feature=share
If you’ve been touched by Ashley’s story, please consider supporting their campaign or sharing this post with someone you know. Incredible things happen when people come together.
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Pictured Above: Ashley Oosthuizen with her mom, Lynnette Blignaut. (January 2025)