Meet the Masters.
Our master carpenters are highly trained in specifically building Casas de Luz homes. They will be on all builds to guide the team and teach basic building skills. We typically have one master carpenter who is in charge of the walls and another who is in charge of the roof. Sometimes we bring extra carpenters to have more fun!
Master Carpenter
Darío Cano
Studying Civil Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana
Field Engineer, Promotores de Juventud con una Misión
Age: 26
Darío started building with CDL when he was just 12 years old. He has a passion for building houses because they have the capacity to change the lives of families in ways we will never realize. He has seen those changes in his family and wants every family to have that opportunity.
Favorite food: Mole, carne asada, candy cane Joe-Joe’s
Favorite free time activities: Darío loves to play guitar, listen to music, drink coffee and go to new coffee shops, build things, and go to the beach.
Master Carpenter
Kirsten Chaplin
Human Developmental Sciences, UC San Diego ‘21
Age: 23
Kirsten became a master carpenter in 2018 after building for about 5 years. She likes to build the roof because it keeps families warm and dry. Kirsten’s favorite part of the build is after the closing ceremony where she can spend time with the family and show them their new home.
Favorite food: Adobada tacos, wood-fired pizza, peppermint ice cream
Favorite free time activities: Study in coffee shops, listen to music, take care of her plants, bake, and go to the beach.
Master Carpenter
Erick Uscanga
Studying Criminology, Instituto de Estudios Universitarios
Age: 23
Erick is originally from Veracruz, Mexico and came to Tijuana in 2017. He started building with us in the Fall of 2018 and quickly learned to become a master carpenter! His favorite part of the build is at the end of the closing ceremony when the family opens the door and looks around their house for the first time.
Favorite food: Green salsa pasta, adobada, carnitas
Favorite activities: Erick likes to play soccer and run in his free time, as well as play video games. He also plays the drums during every church service at Faro de Luz.
Master Carpenter
Ruben Dario Cruz
Better known as Flaco, Ruben loves watching a team come together to build a house for a family that they don’t even know. It makes him happy to see how everyone connects and fills the home with love. Ruben always has a smile on his face and is sure to put one on yours!
Favorite food: Chocolate, hamburgers, tacos
Favorite free time activities: Ruben likes to watch TV (especially anime), play video games, play guitar, and repair electronics or just take them apart to see how they work!
