His name is CHEIKHTHIORO, but everyone calls him Jack.
He plays an important role at ICEL because he is in charge of the metal coating of capacitor heads: if something goes wrong at this stage, it is easy to compromise the quality of the whole work chain.
And he does his job with a scrupulous attention and a devotion that goes beyond the ordinary.
When he tells his story, it is quickly clear that he has something different, something more.
Jack is 66 years old and looks much younger. It is probably because he always smiles.
He tells that he was born in Senegal and received from his parents an education based on respect for others and for ourselves, as well as an ethic based on personal commitment in any field of life, from work to family.
The decision to move to Italy was clearly dictated by necessity, but once he arrived here he immediately tried not to adapt to the dynamics of immigrants, wandering from country to country.
"I lived in Corsico and took the train to come to Legnano. I liked this place, and I chose to put down roots here. At the time I did not have a job and I stood in front of the Post Office, trying to help the people who came to the desks in any way I could: I carried heavy packages, for example, and was always available to anyone who had a small job to assign me. I never asked for anything in return, if you are generous others are generous with you."
And so people began to get to know him, and to appreciate his gentle kindness and his willingness to do. The first proposals for ongoing work came, and was from ICEL.
"Mr Mele frequented the post office for work and I saw him often. One day he asked me if I would like to work with him, and I have been working here for more than 20 years".
Of course being at the Post Office was not always fun and men are not all generous.
"The world is not a paradise," says Jack. "Like that day when some robbers came into the Post Office and made everyone lie down on the floor, but I didn't. Then one of them shoved his gun in my ribs and ordered me to kneel down. I replied that I only kneel when I pray. And so I bought the little time the police needed to intervene'.
Jack is a man who always finds a way.
Even in his work, he strives to succeed and do better and better because he says: "the real strength is in your brain".
You are getting on in age Jack, what are you going to do when you retire?
"Retire? But I'm fine I don't want to stop working as long as I can and then I have to wait for my youngest son to finish school. The other four have finished or are doing university in Senegal and they are all doing very well. At that point I can go back home and cultivate my soil, because whoever has the soil is not poor, and the soil always makes you more than what you give it."
Jack is one of the historical figures in the production department at ICEL. Fundamental both for the competence with which he does his job but also for his attitude of commitment, respect and availability.