The Supervasi Snakeathon Project is just not a local one, but will be systematically implemented in snakebite affected areas across India, to help reduce snakebite mortality, spread awareness and education, and promote a peaceful co-existence between man and snake.
The implementation of the Snakeathon Project will be launched in April 2014, in Thane District, Maharashtra, home to the first PACT centre. Thane District has a very high incidence of snakebites and snakebite deaths - more 20 per day during the monsoons.
Subsequent phases will be implemented via forthcoming Supervasi PACT centres, (Pratigya Apprenticeship for Community Transformation) as well as local NGOs and groups in different parts of the country, willing and able to take responsibility for their community.
The Thane phase of implementation will be led by the Apprentices of the PACT Programme at Yeoor (expanded to a capacity of 100 Apprentices).
These young Apprentices will tour Adivasi villages in Thane District, in pairs, providing to each village:
1 Snakebite Kit (details below)
Training on how to use the Snakebite Kit
Hands-on experience in handling snakes, to help remove fear & paranoia
Training and Material on Snake Identification, First-Aid, etc..
Practical tips and measures to make the village Snakebite proof
Time required per village is 4 hours.
Thus each pair of Apprentices can cover 2 villages per day.
Thus, Thane District (about 3,000 villages), can be covered by 100 Apprentices (50 pairs) in just 30 days. i.e. 1-2 months max.
1 Snakebite Kit per village, costs approx. Rs. 10,000/- for the following:
1 Cycle Ambulance
1 Portable Mechanical Ventilator
50-100 pairs of Gaitors (1 per family)
10 Humane Snake Traps
Educational Material
Transport
Thus, covering the entire Thane District, with about 3,000 villages, would cost just Rs. 3 crores - and would save about 2,000 lives per year.
The above funds would be generated and sponsored by Supervasi through the sale of our Software, Website and BPO services.
Additionallly, Supervasi also welcomes businesses and individuals to do their bit, and "Adopt a Village" (i.e. sponsor its Snakebite Kit) - thus directly impacting the lives of the 250-500 villagers living there, and helping this much-needed project to take wings and reach across the entire nation, much faster.