A Place of Promise
Amidst Poverty
Higher Education Commission Permits Change Agent Network University to Begin Operation in Lofa County, Northern Liberia, West Africa.
“Breaking The Cycle of Poverty Through Higher Education and Prayer in Liberia”
CAN UNIVERSITY
(U-CAN)
A Matching Grant opportunity for you to double or triple the impact of your contribution
First and foremost, we want to thank you so very much for your unyielding invaluable support of this worthy ministry/organization over the last 17 years! We are super grateful! You are making a difference, adding value to uncountable lives in Liberia, West Africa and giving hope a chance. May God continue to bless the excellent work of you hands.
As we approach the Season of Giving, a remarkable opportunity awaits to amplify the impact of your generosity. Through a partnership with a generous donor, your contributions hold twice the power, as donations will be matched up to $20,000 until December 20th 2023. The vision for the new Change Agent Network University (U-CAN) in Lofa, Northern Liberia, stands as a beacon of hope and promise. The essentials required for its fruition, from classroom desks to microscopes, are not just items but instruments of transformation. Each brick, each chair, each bag of cement becomes a building block in crafting a brighter future for countless students. Your support, whether in providing a single chair or aiding in the completion of a computer lab, resonates far beyond those materials. It serves as a testament to the belief that education has the ability to empower and uplift lives. Join us in this incredible opportunity to multiply the impact of your contribution and be a part of shaping a legacy that transcends boundaries. Let us unite in this season of giving and receiving, knowing that every donation brings us closer to realizing a vision where knowledge reigns and opportunities flourish. Together, let's embrace the spirit of giving and create a world where education is a bridge to boundless possibilities.
GIVE BY CHECK:
Make check payable to Change Agent Network, Inc.
Mail to: 4514 Cole Avenue, suite 600. Dallas, Texas 75205
In the memo section, write UCAN Donation
GIVE ONLINE AT: https://www.canintl.org/make-a-gift-new
Below are the items needed for the new university:
Classroom desk - $50-$60 (15 needed)
Student desk chairs - $30 (400 needed)
School bricks - $1 (30k needed)
Cement bag - $10/ bag (1,500 bags needed)
Metal roof - $150/bundle (150 bundles needed)
Marker boards - $175 (10 needed)
Computer lab chairs - $30/chair (500 needed)
Folding tables - 50 (50 needed)
Projector & screen - $150 (5 needed)
Laptops - $500 (50 needed)
Microscopes - $300 (15 needed)
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAN UNIVERSITY (U-CAN)
Everyone can be a Philanthropist
In the heart of Lofa County, Northern Liberia, West Africa, a dream is taking shape.
Change Agent Network University (U-CAN), the first private institution in this region, is on the cusp of transformation. Imagine the impact: a university that unites 15 diverse tribes, seven of which hail from Lofa County alone.
Accredited by the Liberian government just two years ago, this institution offers associate degrees in education, agriculture, theology, and business, opening doors to a brighter future for its 140 students and countless more.
But time is of the essence - the accreditation hangs in the balance, with crucial requirements awaiting fulfillment. We stand at the precipice of change, the chance to construct vital buildings — administrative offices, science and computer labs, and a library — that will secure the university's full accreditation.
A mere $150,000 stands between us and this dream. With your support, we can empower these students, provide scholarships to ten individuals from each county, and forge 1,500 change agents over the next decade. Together, we are not just investing in education; we are investing in the very soul of Liberia.
Partner with us, believe in the power of education and prayer and help us touch the lives of 200,000 people in Lofa County and over 5 million nationwide. Together, let's shape a future where dreams are not just envisioned but realized, where generations are transformed, and where the ripple effect of your generosity creates a wave of change that will be felt for years to come.
Join us and invest in a legacy of knowledge, hope, and transformation.
CAN UNIVERSITY INTEREST FORM
Change Agent Network University President Dr. Isaac Podah (right) along with one of his staff, Mr. John Lake, display the letter of permission given to them by the National Commission on Higher Education
The Board of Commissioners of the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE)
Has given its approbation to the management of the ‘proposed Change Agent Network University (CAN-U)’ to begin full operation this March 2022. The approval was granted on January 17, 2022.
NCHE Board said its approval to the ‘proposed CAN-U’ authorizes it a “Licensure” status to commence operations in the specific disciplines, including Business, Theology, Education and Agriculture.
“The approval of the proposed CAN-U by the Board of Commissioners of NCHE authorizes the College a ‘Licensure’ status to commence operations of the College in the specific disciplines mentioned above at the Associate level for an initial two-year period,” NCHE said in its letter to CAN-U’s management.
The Commission further said that during these initial two years of operations by CAN-U, it will routinely monitor and evaluate the performances and deliveries of its programs approved. “Next, CAN-U will reapply for the status of accreditation, and the approved program and activities will be thoroughly reassessed, to determine the CAN-U’s fitness for full accreditation status,” NCHE said in its letter signed by its Director General, Professor Dr. (PhD) Edward Lama Wonkeryor.
Notwithstanding NCHE granting permission for CAN-U to begin operations, it recommends, however, that CAN-U’s applying name be changed to “Change Agent Network College” in keeping with its programs approved at the Associate degree status, aligned with NCHE Policy for Regulating Postsecondary Institutions within Liberia.
Speaking with this media outlet, Dr. Isaac Podah, President, CAN-U, assured the Commission on Higher Education that its recommendations will be fully implemented. Dr. Podah thanked NCHE for granting them the licensure to operate a postsecondary learning institution in Liberia.
Notwithstanding NCHE granting permission for CAN-U to begin operations, it recommends, however, that CAN-U’s applying name be changed to “Change Agent Network College” in keeping with its programs approved at the Associate degree status, aligned with NCHE Policy for Regulating Postsecondary Institutions within Liberia.
Speaking with this media outlet, Dr. Isaac Podah, President, CAN-U, assured the Commission on Higher Education that its recommendations will be fully implemented. Dr. Podah thanked NCHE for granting them the licensure to operate a postsecondary learning institution in Liberia.
The CAN-U president further said that they are hoping to begin with at least 100 students when they begin full academic operations in March on their campus, which is based in the New Breed Community, Fissibu Town, Zorzor District, Lofa County, Northern Liberia.
Dr. Podah: “We hope to have more than 100 students by the time we begin academic activities. We are going to try as much as possible for people to turn out to take the entrance. We want students from all around the country.”
On what they are going to do to attract students, he added: “We have observed that people are suffering, and times are hard. While we will want students to pay their fees in cash, we have also devised a way for students who may not have 50 percent in cash. They will be required to bring the balance in goods, including Palm Oil, farm produce, etc.”
According to him, it’s not CAN-U’s intention to make money, but to break the chain of poverty through providing quality education for its students. He also stated that they are going to begin with the colleges that NCHE approved and will be hoping to expand and include other programs in the future.
He boasted that CAN-U is “fully prepared financially and academically for opening in March 2022.”
He then thanked their host, Fissibu townspeople, for giving them the land to build their community and university.
“So what are you going to do about home?”
This question was posed to our Founder and Executive Director, Eric Wowoh as he walked the streets of Fissibu Town, his birthplace.
“In my entire life, including the many years in refugee camps in foreign countries, I had never witnessed impoverishment and complacence at the level I saw in my hometown Fissibu, Lofa County, Northern Liberia.”
Build a school, of course.
In January 2022 CAN received permission from the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) in Liberia to start operating the Change Agent Network University (CAN-U) as a college offering AA Degree in business, theology, education and agriculture courses.
Mr. Eric W. Wowoh, Founder of CAN and University
According to Mr. Eric Wowoh, Founder of CAN, the birth of the Change Agent Network University (CAN-U) started during his very first trip back to his hometown of Fessibu, Zorzor District, Lofa County, Northern Liberia on October 17, 2011.
OUR LICENSE FROM THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (NCHE)
“From information that I gathered from my Late Maternal Uncle Mr. Flomo Pewu, I was born in Fissibu Town but when I was like two years old, my parents relocated our family to John Hill, Bassa Community in Bong Mines, Lower Bong County, Central Liberia. Our family moved away from Lofa in search of greener pastures. Bong Mines was booming economically because of the Bong Mining Iron Ores Company.
Fast forward, he narrated that it took him many months of negotiations, including house to house with the elder, before he was given eight acres of land to build the first three buildings to begin the university.
“This is the first indigenous higher institution of learning ever in the entire history of Lofa County. The land to construct CAN-U was donated by the local people themselves. It was built, it is owned, and operated by citizens of Lofa County. This is purely a pride of Lofa County! However, we alone cannot afford to continue to undertake this massive developmental task all by ourselves. I therefore, call upon all sons and daughters of Lofa County in particular and Liberia at large, friends, lovers of Lofa and partners to join us in paving and leading the way for this positive transformation to become resounding success for all. I want us to collectively work together to move Lofa County and Liberia forward. Many, many thanks to all our team members, supporters and partners both local and international for their financial, material, and moral support given to make this long-awaited vision to be fulfilled in our lifetime. We are super excited and grateful to God for everything!”
Eric W. Wowoh said.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT ON CAN-UNIVERSITY FROM THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (NCHE)
HISTORY OF CAN UNIVERSITY
Map of Lofa County, Republic of Liberia.
Click here to read or download the history of CAN University
Our Progress
Our Plans
