From refugee to pastry chef: Mohamadou Diallo's story is an example of social but also humanitarian redemption. The boy from Mali, who fled the war at the age of 13 and arrived in Italy to seek his fortune, found in food the right way to redeem himself from life, realizing his dream of becoming a pastry chef and an expert in ice cream and slushes.
There is not only the Russia-Ukraine war, there are many conflicts or crisis situations around the world that have been going on for decades. For example, in the entire Sahel area the situation remains confused and dangerous due to the presence of jihadist groups, secessionist movements, Tuareg separatists and ethnic self-defense militias. A place of despair and death from which Diallo fled at a very young age crossing the desert, and remaining a year and a half in Libya - as he recounted in an interview with Corriere della Sera - and finally arriving in Sicily on a boat. “In two days on a boat, with 95 people on board, I crossed the Mediterranean and landed in Pozzallo”.
From refugee to pastry chef: training with maestro Franco Patané
But escaping from a war and arriving in a "friendly" country is only the first step. One of the biggest critical issues concerning young foreigners arriving in our country is also the time to integrate which can often push them towards other scenarios, such as the road. And yet, the young Malian never abandoned his dream of cooking.
The turning point for Diallo came thanks to the professional training courses organized by the "Fondazione del Fanciullo" of the Diocese of Acireale, led by the bishop and vice president of the CEI, Monsignor Antonino Raspanti. During these courses the young Diallo was able to get to know the master Franco Patanè, an expert in the creation of ice creams, granitas and desserts.
Diallo's ambition and determination allowed him to fulfill his dream. Maestro Franco Patané in May 2021 opened a new business together with other partners in Acireale, and took over the ice cream-pastry shop "Paradise rice” taking the young African as a collaborator.
For the future, Diallo hopes to return to his native land to reunite with his family but also to bring to this land the flavors and knowledge he has known thanks to the master Patané. And demonstrate to young Africans how to use water, sugar and fruit to make ice creams and granitas, and create jobs.
Retracing Mohamadou Diallo's journey means taking a look at the lives of all those people who, like him, have never lost hope of a better future, but above all understanding - also in the light of what is happening in Ukraine - how refugees can contribute to the growth of society, becoming an asset and not a burden.
