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Yormando Ruiz and Luis Márquez have been friends for years. They first met as young carpenters working together in their hometown of Maturín, in the Venezuelan state of Monagas. And now, living in Chaguanas, a town in Central Trinidad, they are continuing their trade, with increasing demand for their services and a long list of satisfied customers from the local community.
“We are like brothers, we understand each other perfectly and that makes the job comfortable and easy,” Ruiz, 37, said. Carpentry is in their blood, Márquez, 36, added. Both men grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells and skills of carpentry, and their innate understanding of their craft is evident in every piece of furniture or fixtures they create.
“In my house there was carpentry. My grandfather, my father and my uncle were carpenters, so, from the time I was born, I was in between the boards and the tools. My toys were boards, hammers and nails. That is how I learned everything about this business,” said Ruiz.
Marquez’s grandparents were also carpenters. “Since I was a child, I always liked this world – building furniture, cutting wood, making new things,” said Márquez.
As economic conditions in their country became increasingly difficult, Ruiz, 37, was the first to make the decision in 2017 to come to Trinidad in search of a better life. He found work in construction, first as a bricklayer. Then, when his supervisors recognized his skills, he had the opportunity to move into carpentry. “When my boss gave me the opportunity, I immediately thought of Luis as someone who could work with me in this new position.” And that’s how two years later, in 2019, Márquez, in 2019, at the suggestion of Ruiz and the promise of a job, came to Trinidad.
“The support of my boss has been fundamental to our success. He let me bring on Luis, and gave us the opportunity to do what we love most, which is carpentry,” said Ruiz.
After a few months of working together at the company, they were able to buy their own tools and created a small space in their rental house in Felicity, a village in the Borough of Chaguanas, which they used as a workshop to start their own carpentry work with their own clients.
“We are still with (the construction company) and appreciate the help they give us. We work there during the week full time, and then when we get home, in our free time, we work on the orders for our private clients,” said Márquez.
They call their operation Los Compadres, a Hispanic term of endearment for close friends. And the friends have been earning the respect and admiration of their clients.
“Most of the people who call us (to enquire about our services) are Trinidadians who have seen our work on Instagram: @los_compadres_woodworking,” Ruiz said.
Their products are versatile and varied – they make everything from chairs to entire kitchen cabinetry, closets, bedroom and bathroom furniture and even TV stands.
Every day, Ruiz thanks God and Trinidad and Tobago for the opportunity he has been given to work and live in the country.
“I am here with my wife and my two children, they are the engine that drives me to continue happily every day,” said Ruiz.
Márquez, although he has no relatives at TT, considers Ruiz and his family as his own family.
“We are a team, we all collaborate well, and our clients can see that,” Marquez said.
Their goal is to continue to improve their workshop, including buying more tools so they can complete orders for their clients more efficiently – and while they are allowed to work legally in the country. Both men are registered with the Trinidad and Tobago Government through the Venezuelan Migrant Registration Process, which was conducted in 2019, and again in 2021. Through this process, with a valid registration card, they are able to legally work in Trinidad and Tobago until the end of 2022.
“We like Trinidad, we like the local people, how they have treated us. Thank God we have found very good people here and we hope to continue repaying that trust by doing good work,” said Ruiz.
