( CNN ) -- The massive earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on Friday spared the island of Indonesia , a nearby developing country that was devastated in 2004 by one of the deadliest tsunamis in history . Helping after that disaster was CNN Hero Robin Lim . Lim is the founder of Indonesia 's Yayasan Bumi Sehat health clinics , which provide free prenatal and birthing care to women in need . Lim recently spoke with CNN 's Ebonne Ruffins about how her midwife teams respond in natural disasters , balancing critical medical needs with cultural traditions . Ebonne Ruffins : What 's it like to work in Indonesia and , specifically , after the 2004 tsunami ? Robin Lim : In Indonesia , there is a great need for us because many mothers want the help of professional birth attendants but ca n't afford them . So they come to us . It was not easy to start so grass-roots in Bali , completely reliant on donations , but we did it . And when the tsunami happened a few years later in Aceh , we were early responders . So many on the eastern coast lost everything , and it was very difficult to witness . But we had to be there for those who survived or were fighting to survive . Ruffins : How do your teams provide maternal and infant care in the middle of a devastated area ? Lim : Because the devastation can ruin entire clinics and resources , we have to be prepared to treat them with limited materials . Instead of cutting the umbilical cord , for instance , we burn it -- especially in disaster zones , because it 's something we can teach our midwives and doctors who 've lost their instruments . Using scissors to sever the umbilical cord carries a risk of tetanus . If you burn the cord , there 's just no risk of infection . And outside of just knowing how to safely respond medically , we try to have respect for everyone 's faith . We do n't have any particular religion , and we 'll honor all requests and faith traditions -- special songs , flowers or chants . No matter what they are or where we are , we honor these faiths . This helps the moms feel safe and supported with us . Video : Watch a cord-burning ceremony at Lim 's clinic . Ruffins : You 've delivered enough babies to repopulate another island . Have you learned anything from the people you 've helped ? Lim : I 've learned a lot . Quite often I cry tears of joy because I feel humbled . Once in a while , a baby is born that does n't breathe . Normally CPR works , but sometimes no matter what you do , that baby just was n't meant to make it . That really humbles us , because we have control over reducing risks for the mothers and babies but I have learned we do n't have control over fate . There are so many more good days than bad , though . When there is a long night and there is an emergency , the mothers just hang in there -- and the babies , too . They are so strong , and they push through -- literally . That 's love . They have taught me that this world is really worth preserving . The babies come in so fresh and innocent , trusting and open to love . And if we can just give them a safe and gentle entrance into this world , then they will keep that ability to love and trust . See the full story on CNN Hero Robin Lim : 'Mother Robin ' delivers for poor women in Indonesia .
Robin Lim founded health clinics in Indonesia that offer free prenatal and birthing care . When a tsunami hit in 2004 , her midwife teams had to work with limited resources . Lim : We try to have respect for everyone 's faith . Do you know a hero ? A person who has sacrificed their life so others can live better lives?