Bougainvillean Ms Aidah Kenneth has been awarded one of the highest awards for the PNG Red Cross and Red Cresent Movement, the Movement Family Links medal for her work in looking for missing persons and reuniting families after the Bougainville Crisis. Her commitment to her work on identifying missing persons who were displaced or killed during the Bougainville Crisis and reuniting families who had run away and living in other areas of Bougainville, PNG or Overseas have earned her the prestigious medal award. In a significant and history gathering at the Kuri Village Resort to appreciate her tremendous job to congratulate the Tegese villager from Haku Constituency on Buka Island, saw the gathering of the National Chairman for PNG Red Cross, Mr John Hosea, the Secretary General for PNG Red Cross, Janet Philemon, ICRC Representative Winnie Monouluk, who had travelled to Buka to present and witness the awarding of the certificate and medal to Ms Kenneth. Also present at the occasion were ABG Minister for DPI and Haku constituency Member, Mr Patrick Koles, the ABG member for Atolls constituency Mr Taihu Pais, the ABG heads of respective departmental heads, the DFAT First Secretary, Dr Fiona Crockford, the Bougainville representative of the Office of the Missing Persons from the Department of Independence Mission and Implementation Ms Ancitha Semoso, the Haku Constituency Chair Lady Mrs Hona Hollan, the Director for Haku Women’s Collective, Mrs Marilyn Havini, the families and friends of the recipient Ms Aidah Kenneth were all present at Kuri Village Resort to witness the award presentation. Ms Kenneth paved the way to show Bougainvilleans that resilience and commitment will go a long way, and her journey in serving Red Cross Bougainville has been one of selflessness, commitment, dedication, loyalty and resilience responsibility. She has truly lived up to the principles of Red Cross Humanity in serving Bougainville and giving up part of her career to join the Bougainville Red Cross to dedicate her life to serving humanity. The National Red Cross Chairman, Mr John Hosea, stated in his speech that it was not only the Pacific that celebrated but the whole region. The Red Cross is structured in five different regions around the globe, and the Asia–Pacific, the Asian countries and out of all of these, Aidah Kenneth was chosen to receive the award for the Asia–Pacific Region. According to Ms Kenneth, she couldn’t make it to Geneva, but that didn’t put her down while added what was very important to her was the recognition that many people miss out on for the work that they silently do. She acknowledged the National Red Cross chairman Mr Hosea for the recognition and for bringing the award home to her doorstep step and that was her wish. The award holds her name, but it is for Bougainville. “With immense gratitude, not for this award but for the opportunity to play a part in restoring family links that are often so deeply woven into the fabric of our lives, has been one most rewarding experiences of my life and thanked all who have supported me in this journey,” Ms Kenneth said. “I hope that this award serves as a reminder to everyone about the importance of nurturing the connections and let us all commit to being advocates for family reunification to spread compassion and to promote understanding in our community. Every effort counts and every story of reconciliation brings us one step closer to a more connected world.” Also, at the reception, the ABG Education secretary, Ms Dorothy Kenneth, announced that Ms Aidah Kenneth was the first Principal for Kamarau International School. She gave up her career in 2007 and since then served Red Cross. She acknowledged Aidah Kenneth for her unwavering support where she needed to be away from home for weeks and months on end so that she could serve the greater and common good of the People of Bougainville. “Family support has been there throughout. Aidah has eight sisters, and she is the fourth in the family of nine. “ She has had that unwavering support from her family and extended family as well. Representing the family, she thanked the family for supporting Aidah to give her life to serve Bougainville and the common good of the people of Bougainville through the Bougainville Red Cross Branch and the family is humbled with this award and will continue to support her,” said Dorothy.