ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about Bumi Sehat center, a birth center which is a group of concerned and committed people supporting women in their spiritual, physical, and economic needs, focusing on, but not limited to, safe motherhood and infant survival. The Bali Hindu Dharma religion is an intricate display of daily offerings and frequent ceremonies aimed at appeasing the gods and the demons, placing a distinct demand on the time and energy of the women here. By the 1970s, infant formula companies began to market artificial milk via the drastically underpaid network of bidan di desa throughout Indonesia, who partnered with infant formula companies to supplement their incomes. The Balinese believe that new babies are the reincarnated souls of the father’s ancestors. All services at Bumi Sehat are provided free of charge. Families with the means may make a donation, which helps subsidize the people who have no means.
