In Uganda’s Nakivale refugee settlement, Justine Sukirana turned a small plot of land into a thriving onion and tomato farm. With training, irrigation, and relentless hard work, she’s not just growing crops—she’s building a future for her children, one harvest at a time.
For years, the IEC Foundation has provided financial assistance to individuals seeking to become electricians through the IEC Apprenticeship Program. In 2025, the Foundation took its support to the next level and introduced the EmpowerHER Scholarship. 
“I’ve been building cars since I was probably 13 years old,” said Loparco, who co-founded Later Dayz Customz in 2018 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. “I used to work on bicycles, tear them apart. I never was happy with a bike I had… and it kind of escalated from there.”