| Barbados
Culture: People: Olga Lopes-Seale
Olga Lopes-Seale : Our Energetic
Humanitarian
 Olga Lopes-Seale
is known affectionately to all Barbadians as "Auntie Olga".
She was born in Guyana on December 26, 1918, and was educated
there. In 1939 Olga married a Barbadian, Dick Seale. The couple
had two children - Marcia and John who were born in Guyana.
The family moved to Barbados in 1963.
Olga Lopes-Seale's career started when she was in her early
teens. She loved singing and playing her own mandolin. She became
well known as far back as 1942 visiting Barbados for singing
engagements.
In 1952 in Guyana, Olga started full-time radio broadcasting.
Her warm and friendly voice along with her caring personality
made her extremely successful and popular with programmes such
as "Yours Truly Olga", as well as her Children's Talent Shows.
She also started the Radio Demerara Needy Children's Fund in
1953. Through this programme many children in need benefited
from Santa's presents each Christmas. In 1961, Olga was made
a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her kind humanitarian
efforts and for her contribution to Broadcasting in Guyana.
Olga was known in the 40s and 50s as the "Vera Lyn of the Caribbean"
and sang many inspirational favourites which included "If I
can help somebody". This became her theme song.
Since 1963 she has helped and warmed the hearts of many people
in Barbados. Her particular devotion is in assisting the young
as well as the elderly Barbadians through her Barbados Rediffusion
programmes, and has inspired many successful fund raising events.
Olga Lopes-Seale is now a proud great-grandmother and continues
her work with those in need. She has a wide knowledge of Barbados
and is also a poet and newspaper columnist. She is the recipient
of a long list of many different awards given for all her humanitarian
work in the Barbadian community.
Her humble deeds and actions have certainly made her an outstanding
personality. Her life is a leading example of that beautiful
and touching song which is still one of her favourites today:
©Margaret P.M Bourne
PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLES:
ANTHONY
| DAVID | STREET VENDOR|
COCONUT MAN | MARATHON
MAN | IRVING BURGIE
DONNA'S BEACH GARMENTS | FISHERS
| TAILOR| CHOIR BOY | SINGING
PLUMBER
RUM SHOP (a story) | SIR GARFIELD SOBERS | HUMANITARIAN
- OLGA | MUSIC | ARCHITECTURE
ARTISTS | RELIGION
| CARNIVAL | NIGHTLIFE
| VISITORS MEMORIES | HISTORY
| NATIONAL
HEROES
| PEOPLE PHOTOS
|
Barbados News
Weather
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
YouTube
