Midwife “Ibu Robin”: CNN Hero of the Year winner

INDONESIAN-based American midwife Robin Lim has been named the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year. Lim, known to many as Ibu Robin, or Mother Robin, leads a non-profit, donation-based organization called Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Healthy Mother Earth Foundation) that focuses on prenatal care, maternal health and child survival in Bali.

“Every baby’s first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love,” Lim was quoted by CNN as saying during the cable news network’s All Star Tribute in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

“Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet,” Lim said.

The award honors ordinary people from around the world who are making extraordinary contributions in their communities.

Read the Jakarta Globe’s profile here: Bali-Based Midwife in Bid for CNN Hero

Lim, speaking earlier to CNN, highlighted Indonesia’s high maternal and infant mortality rates that were caused by the high costs of maternal care.

“The situation is bad … babies are unattended, deliveries have become commercialized, and mothers die from hemorrhage after childbirth because they can’t afford proper care,” Lim said.

The CNN Hero of the Year receives a total of $300,000 for her cause. The winner was chosen after an 11-week vote on CNN.com.