Alum Helps Turn the Page on War

Westmont alumna Victoria Harbison (‘78) spent four decades in the classroom teaching local students, but her retirement has been defined by a mission to provide education to children half a world away.

Harbison, the founder of the nonprofit Turn the Page Uganda, will host award-winning author Brian K. Barber for two local speaking engagements on May 17 and May 19. The events serve as a fundraiser for her organization, which has delivered critical textbooks to more than 300 schools in war-torn Northern Uganda.

Barber will discuss his latest book, “No Way but Forward,” which chronicles the lives of three Palestinian men in the Gaza Strip over the last 30 years. While the book focuses on the Middle East, Harbison says the message of perseverance through conflict is universal.

“War is a terrible ordeal, and it’s easy for us to ignore because we live in such a peaceful environment,” Harbison said. “However, I’ve always felt that those with abundance should help lift up those who are suffering.”

Harbison’s commitment to Uganda was sparked by her master teacher, the legendary Westmont baseball coach Russ Carr, who first shared with her the devastation caused by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Since founding her nonprofit in 2010, Harbison has focused on the belief that education is the most effective tool for children to overcome the trauma of military constraint and loss.

The first event will take place Sunday, May 17, from 5 to 6:30 pm at Elings Park’s Godric Grove. A second signing and discussion will be held Tuesday, May 19, at 5:30 pm at Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito.

Books will be available for purchase at both locations, and proceeds support the mission of providing textbooks to Northern Ugandan students. Those interested in attending the Sunday event are asked to RSVP to [email protected]. For more information, visit turnthepageuganda.org.