When Florence and her husband, Magara fled the civil war in Congo with their children, they carried little more than courage and the hope of safety. Their journey took them first to Zimbabwe, and finally to Kansas in February 2024, where they hoped to build a new life for their growing family.
The family quickly fell in love with Wichita’s quiet streets, the changing seasons, and the kindness of its people. “It is peaceful,” Florence says. “Our children can go to school. People are kind.”
Not long after, the family found out they were expecting twins. But their joy was shadowed by uncertainty. From early in the pregnancy, ultrasounds showed something different—one image showed one baby covering her eyes with her tiny hands, making it nearly impossible to see her face clearly. Doctors warned there may be concerns with her development, specifically her eyes, but they would have to wait until she was born to discern the exact condition. In March 2025, Florence gave birth to twins: a son, Glorie and a precious daughter they named Grace.
When Grace was born, it became clear: she had no eyes, and her optic nerves had not formed. Florence remembers the pain vividly. “I cried a lot,” she says. “It was a hard time. I did not know how to care for her. I was afraid.”
That fear began to change when Rainbows United came into their home.
Through the hospital where the twins were born, the family was connected to Rainbows’ early intervention services. That’s when they met Sandra, an occupational therapist, and—almost instantly—a source of hope.
Sandra came with a translator who spoke Florence’s native language. “That meant everything,” Florence recalls. “Someone could finally help me understand what to do.”
With patience and compassion, Sandra taught Florence how to connect with Grace—how to talk to her baby and describe the world she cannot see. “Grace knows our voices now,” Florence says, smiling. “She is not afraid anymore. She plays with toys, she holds her head up, she loves to hear music. She can even stay on her tummy now.”
Florence is amazed by what she’s learned—not only how to meet Grace’s unique needs, but how to recognize and celebrate her milestones. “Sandra teaches me many things,” she says. “She is more than a helper. She is a friend.”
Each week, Sandra brings encouragement, knowledge, and support—along with access to community resources. “Florence is always eager to learn and try new strategies,” Sandra says. “Grace is thriving because her family is so engaged and loving.”
Magara, Grace’s father, sees the transformation too. “Sandra coming to our home brings us peace,” he says. “We had fear, but now we have hope. Grace and her brother are both growing, and we believe in their future.”
Rainbows’ services have brought light into a time that once felt overwhelming. “I did not know how to help her,” Florence says. “But now I do. I have hope. I am not alone.”
To other mothers whose children need extra help, Florence has a message: “You are not alone. Rainbows will come beside you and show you how to care for your baby. There is always something you can do—and there are people who want to help.
View video by Braxton White here.