Belly dancers in Korea are helping Balinese mothers to give birth safely thanks to fund-raising performances in Seoul.

Eshe the belly dancer is hosting the “Blessings” belly dance nights in Hongdae to donate a percentage of takings to help fund community health centers on the Indonesian islands of Bali and Aceh.

Together, the two health centers run by the Bumi Sehat Foundation International charity provide more than 17,000 consultations annually for children and adults, also helping 600 women to give birth each year.

Charity founder Ibu Robin Lim has been helping pregnant women and young children from her home in a Balinese village since 1994 in a bid to reduce maternal and child mortality there. 

Last year, she was awarded the title of CNN person of the year for her work to establish the two internationally recognized natural birthing centers that her charity now runs.

Dream Dance Studio director Eshe’s “We wish you a Belly Christmas” event in Seoul this December has already raised 250,000 won ($216) for the cause.
The belly dancer said she thought a maternity charity was a fitting beneficiary from her shows because the art is sometimes used to assist mothers to have healthy births.

She is holding three more fund-raising nights at HodgePodge Club, near Sangsu Subway Station exit 1, on the last Saturday of the next three months.

The next belly dancing event will be held on Jan. 28 with special guests Maya An, Ana Kan and Jimin Park.

Further charity shows will be held on Feb. 25 and March 31 with dance troupes Navah, Mahadevi and Satarma performing at all the events. Live music and art will be provided by Wilfred Lee.

All performances will start at 9 p.m. The entrance fee is 10,000 won, which also includes one drink.

For more information go to the www.bumisehatbali.org and www.eshebellydancer.com websites.