Ocean Network Express (ONE) supports local children in Côte d'Ivoire

London [19th] January 2024
Ocean Network Express (Europe and Africa) Ltd (ONE) made a significant contribution to the 
Soeurs Missionnaires Sainte Thérèse de l'enfant Jésus, an NGO based in Côte d'Ivoire that 
supports women and children from the poorest neighbourhoods of Abidjan. The centre
provides lunch to children who must show evidence of their school attendance, incentivising 
children and their families to stay in education. However, the main work of the mission is to
teach women to read and write who did not have the opportunity to attend school. Levels of 
illiteracy in women are markedly higher than men in Côte d'Ivoire, with only 42.6% of women 
able to read and write compared to 53.9% of men1. The work of the Sisters is vital in 
readdressing this imbalance and improving women’s lives.

After their main sponsor was unable to continue supporting their valuable work, ONE stepped 
in with a $9,750 US donation that will fund meals for 150 children over the next 10 months.

Colleagues from ONE, led by Tom Verbeke, Director of ONE Côte d'Ivoire, visited the centre
in December to present the children and Sisters with a symbolic cheque of ONE’s donation
and gifted t-shirts to the children.

Tom Verbeke said, “We are pleased that ONE has been able to contribute to the vital work of 
the NGO, which gives disadvantaged women a chance to improve their life outcomes through 
access to education and ensures children in regular education are fed a decent meal every 
day. Projects like this give families an opportunity and hope for a better future, which is 
something ONE passionately believes in.”

Sister Alicia from Soeurs Missionnaires Sainte Thérèse de l'enfant Jésus said “I can't thank 
you enough for all the joy you've given us. Thank you so much for providing a lifeline to our 
project which would not have been able to continue without your support.”

For media inquiries and further information, please contact: [email protected]

About Ocean Network Express (Europe) Ltd. 

Launched on April 1, 2018, Ocean Network Express (Europe) Ltd. is the regional headquarters 
and a subsidiary of Ocean Network Express (ONE), headquartered in Singapore.

About Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Ocean Network Express (ONE) was incepted on July 7, 2017, following the liner service 
integrations of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon 
Yusen Kaisha (NYK). The new entity functions from its global headquarter in Singapore, 
supported by regional headquarters in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the 
United States and Brazil. Operating more than 210 vessels, it offers an expeditious and a 
reliable international network of over 170 services to 120 countries and beyond. ONE is the 
world’s sixth largest container carrier with a fleet size of approximately 1.69 million TEU. 
ONE is a member of THE Alliance (THEA), a global ocean carrier consortium. For more 
information, please visit https://www.one-line.com/