From humble beginnings to a lasting legacy, we celebrate the vision, dedication, and impact of those who built our story.
Visionary: Eric W. Wowoh
In 2008, after returning from the United States, Eric W. Wowoh cast a bold vision to plant
“education villages” across all 15 counties of Liberia—bringing learning, skills, and enterprise
closer to underserved communities. That vision would soon find a permanent home in Fissibu
Town, Zorzor District, Lofa County—Eric’s birthplace.
On October 17–19, 2011, Eric returned to Fissibu with documentary filmmaker Martin Webb.
The visit revealed severe educational and economic gaps—and prompted the defining question:
“What are you going to do about home?” The answer was clear: start with a school, then build a
community platform for opportunity and dignity.
Working through traditional channels—elders, landlords, youth and women leaders—Eric and
local family members lobbied for a campus site. On October 26, 2010, the elders granted eight
(8) acres for a school and community-development hub. (In keeping with local tradition, land
isn’t sold; it is entrusted for the common good.)
Construction began in 2012 with local masons, helpers, and suppliers; by 2015 three substantial
buildings stood. The site was named New Breed Community—a place to renew minds and
hearts through service, self-reliance, teamwork, and shared prosperity.
On June 25, 2015, CAN launched the 842 Computer Training School—the first of its kind in
Zorzor District—enrolling 150 students and graduating 120+ in basic computing. This proved
the demand for practical, job-ready skills in rural Lofa.
After a pause during national challenges, alumni and leaders—including David K. Sumo and
Oliver S. Paye—returned in 2020 to revive campus life. An agriculture project created jobs for
120 locals and funded a “work-for-fees” program so families without cash could exchange labor
for school tuition.
With renewed investment in late 2020, classrooms were fitted out and facilities upgraded. On
January 11, 2021, CAN Leadership Academy (Nursery–Grade 8) opened with:
modern classrooms and safe restrooms
a computer lab and functional library
an inviting, child-friendly learning environment
These upgrades became the stepping-stone for Change Agent Network University (CAN-U)—
expanding from foundational education to pathways in entrepreneurship, technology,
agribusiness, and community leadership.
Lofa is large and rural; distances to existing colleges in Voinjama or Gbarnga are long, costly,
and logistically hard for first-generation students. Many graduates drift back to subsistence
farming—not for lack of talent, but lack of access. CAN-U closes this gap by bringing higher
education to learners—reducing travel, housing, and living costs while embedding training in the
local economy.
Guided by Eric W. Wowoh’s founding vision, CAN-U is growing into a full rural university
experience—pairing academics with hands-on skills, entrepreneurship, and values-driven
leadership. Our aim is simple and ambitious: change minds, hearts, and lives—so young people
can learn, build, and work where they live, and entire communities can rise together.
