Life in a new land
Family celebrates six-year anniversary after they left China for P.E.I. on Canada Day
On July 1, 2012, a young family of five decided to take a massive leap of faith and leave the comfort of their home in the booming metropolis of Tianjin, a major port city in northeastern China, and immigrate to the scenic laid-back city of Summerside. “It was the first time we had visited P.E.I., and we knew it was for us. We moved to Summerside because it was clean, safe and beautiful,” shared Zheng Fan. “The big city we left behind had more than 20 million people, it was crowded, dangerous and just wasn’t the life for us.” Fan acknowledged that the pastoral landscapes surrounding Summerside, the peace and quiet that can be found, along with the stars peppered across the sky at night like they had never seen before, contrasted to Tianjin and its dizzying skyscrapers, dense traffic and noise. “Our whole family has come to visit this province. Our parents visit us every year and they stay for a few months, even our friends have come to see where we live,” he warmly smiled. “My first daughter is in Grade 9 now, and my second and third child were born here. It’s a very good place to raise children.” Fan started his own business earlier this year called, Summerside Settlement Services Inc. to help be a pilot for other newcomers and give them a smooth landing when they arrive in P.E.I. “For us we got a lot of help from friends that had already moved here, but for many newcomers they don’t know anyone, so I set up a settlement service to help them adjust comfortably.
“I offer services on how to register with a doctor, enroll in school, buy a car or even a home because many come here and don’t know where to start. English may not be a first language, so I can even translate for them.” He noted that his business “helps all newcomers settle in.” Fan and his family were at Green’s Shore Park in Summerside rekindling the moment they decided to leave everything familiar and move to a place they had never set foot on before six years to the day - on Canada Day. During the Canada Day flag raising ceremony that Fan and his family gathered to watch among the tide of red and white, P.E.I. Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry said, “Canada opens its arms to welcome newcomers to our country.” She continued, “I invite you to continue learning about our great country. It’s history, symbols, values, institutions and especially the traditions that we hold dear. Value our rights and freedoms for which thousands of brave Canadians have fought and died to preserve.” Minister of Economic Development, Chris Palmer added, “Let’s make sure that we recognize some of the things that make Canada so great and the freedoms that we enjoy. “Our welcoming nature is no more evident than it is right here in Summerside as we welcome newcomers to our community, lets remind ourselves of the safety and security in our country.” Fan concluded with, “We are thankful to live here, and enjoy the events put on by the City for Canada Day each year.” For more information visit, www.summersidesettlement. com/html/en.