I was born in British Guiana, South America in a small village called Soesdyke, where farming was the main source of income. My late parents and grandparents, Amos and Gertrude Gibson and Joseph and Jane Prince were farmers. We ate off the land. It was farm to table. I reaped the fruits and vegetables and got them ready for market and the church harvest.
It was a labor of love. My parents also reared cows which I milked. My mother would add the fresh milk to barley water as feed us as a hot meal. Barley water drinking was a staple in every household in Guiana. My mother drank barley during pregnancy to increase her lactation. Barley water was also served as a cold beverage. It was the main hydration from the sweltering heat of the tropical sun. Barley water drinking is part of my heritage and remains the official drink of Wimbledon.
When I became an adult, I continued the tradition of barley water drinking and served it to my two children. At 17 years of age I became and elementary school teacher and I sponsored my barley water at fund raising events.
In 1979, I immigrated to the United States and continued to serve barley water at family functions. Everyone loved it and encouraged me to take it to market so that the world can share my product. I have always been passionate about health and wellness which led me to pursue a career in Nursing.
A single mother of two children, I worked and attended College full time. I possess five degrees, including a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Columbia University. My stellar performance earned me an induction into the Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau – Zeta Chapter. I am now a Nurse Practitioner.