Every December to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception people of the Roman Catholic faith in Nicaragua celebrate the Purísima with celebrations of the Virgin Mary. The activities are a deep part of Nicaraguan national culture and generally last through the first and second weeks of December. At Superemos, people celebrate the Purísima on the day of Our Lady of Guadelupe, December 12th.

Here are some photographs of the preparations for the activity in which usually around 150 to 180 people participate from the neighbouring area around the Superemos school site.

This year saw the 13th graduation ceremony of the Estelí Women's School. A total of 65 students - including over 50 women students - graduated this year thanks to their own determined efforts and the committed support of their teaching staff and Superemos foundation staff, in particular the school director Bertha Sanabria López and Superemos president Gladis Ruiz Gonzalez. We are very grateful to the local Escuela Normal teacher training college for loaning us their auditorium for the graduation ceremony.

various wildfowl inhabit the project centre, these ducks are inspecting the sewing workshop

Maria Osorio continues to produce all kinds of products for sale in the cooperative's shop as well as imparting training to students anxious to learn sewing skills.

The ceramic workshop continues its training and production activities as it prepares for end of year activities like the Purísima and the Christmas period.

Alan Parrales preparing pieces for a colourful ceramic mobile

Volunteer Maura Mathieu from Boston spent three weeks this August teaching English to the children of the Sinai preschool in the Nuevo Amanecer barrio in the western area of the city of Esteli.

"Aquella Indita" interpretada por estudiantes de Sones Segovianos durante su concierto de fin del semestre en julio 2013

The music of "Aquella Indita" interpreted by the students of the Sones Segovianos music education programm efor  their end of term concert in July 2013.

Parte del archivo fotográfico de Fundación Superemos relacionado con su trabajo de conservación de la orilla norte del Río Estelí en su propiedad contiguo al Puente Las Chanillas

Our colleague Sixto Davila graduated today from his course of Business Administration. At Superemos we  are pleased and proud that Sixto's determined application and sacrifices over the several years of his studies have brne fruit. He is a credit to both to his family and his colleagues here in Estelí.

On June 29th the Sones Segovianos music education project held a graduation ceremony for students who have finished the first phase of their music training. These students will now go on to more advanced instrumental studies.