It was About Friendship
When my supervisor phoned last year and again this year asking if I’d like to be the Chengdu kids’ bus driver, I said “Absolutely.” The City of Edmonton does everything it can to help the kids enjoy their visit and be comfortable, and having me there helps with that. I’m Chinese and my old hometown is very close to Sichuan province, so I understand the kids’ dialect.
I had no idea what to expect. I imagined the kids might be pretty sad because they lost their parents in the earthquake, but then I met last year’s group and that totally changed. They’re happy and bright, especially after the 10 days here. They are so touched by Edmonton. And Edmonton is such a caring city – everywhere we go, everyone just keeps on giving gifts to the children. The earthquake happened in 2008, but Edmonton still remembers. People do whatever they can to put these trips together. You just feel so warm, so touched. I’ve been here for so many years, and I thought I knew Edmonton, but after these two trips, well, I know it even better now.
Everyone at ETS has supported me – my supervisor, maintenance, dispatch, just everybody. They gave me a brand new bus. It’s the best bus we have. And I’m allowed to park my bus in the road at our garage parking lot, so that means I can take it out anytime without blocking anybody or being buried in the buses. The trip schedule changes all the time, but everyone is really understanding. That makes my job easier. The kids also make me feel that I’m important in their visit here. I try to be really good because I represent both Edmonton Transit and also myself. I’m Chinese-Canadian. It’s a unique position for me.
The highlight this year was the performance at City Hall. It was that way last year too, especially the song they performed. Last year it was called “The Heart that Appreciates.” This year it was about friendship, just to show how appreciative they are. I don’t usually cry, but I had to put the camera up to cover my face. I didn’t want anyone to see!
This trip will have huge impact on the children’s lives forever. We may not see results right now, but we will for sure in the future. They’re going to remember this all their lives – this is Canada, it’s Canadian. Chinese people always have a special feeling about Canada. It’s the best country in the world – I truly believe that. The children really appreciate these trips. I can tell…absolutely, I can tell. I was a child once.
Where Next?
William Wang
William Wang has been an Edmonton Transit System (ETS) bus driver for 10 years. He immigrated to Canada from China 20 years ago, and has lived in Edmonton ever since. His favourite part of being a bus driver is finding ways to save ETS passengers a few minutes by calculating the most efficient transit routes for them. In his own words: “I’m a people person. I like dealing with people, especially when you provide a service and make them happy and make their life a little bit easier. I feel so good when I can do that.” In May 2010, he received an ETS appreciation award for his work on last year's Chengdu visit.
