ShelterBox is a grass-roots humanitarian aid programme supported by Rotary worldwide and it is from a member of their response team, Mark Pearson, that extraordinary photographs were received, graphically showing the value of the campaign in Myanmar, Burma.

In the Labutta Division in the Irrawaddy, he reports, is ''three mile camp,'' home to 5250 survivors of the cyclone, living in 700 ShelterBox tents.

Arranged in serried rows on a site well above sea level, they benefit from a cooling breeze throughout the day, as well as shelter from heavy monsoon rains occurring most days and nights.

Here, Mark maintains, life has returned to some sort of normality. There is clean water and food, camp security, hospital facilities and schools, all run by the government; survivors have set up shops in the tents, and other small industries within the three mile camp.

At its peak, Mark discovered, the population in the whole of Labutta was 40,000.

The remaining families were those from the worst affected areas. Their villages completely destroyed, their only option was to reach the tented village in Labutta.

As for other ShelterBox successes, Mark adds: "While I was in Heignyi Island, an Australian team member of Medicine Sans Frontier told me that there were 300 tents on the island in good shape, and he was amazed by the speed of distribution to the most remote areas by ShelterBox."

Following Mark Pearson's report, the ShelterBox warehouse volunteers embarked on the task of packing 200 tents, 2000 mosquito nets, 2000 tool kits, 600 woodburning stoves, 600 cooking pots, 4000 ground sheets and 50 classrooms-in-a-box. This additional aid was due to reach Myanmar by early July.

Such a positive report was welcomed by Howe of Fife Rotarians, as was the knowledge that their ShelterBox donation is playing a part in the humanitarian operation in Burma. After all, in times of need, every little bit helps.

Anyone who would like to help raise funds for humanitarian projects such as these, as well as projects closer to home, while working with others in a spirit of fellowship should consider joining the Howe of Fife Rotary Club. New members are always welcome to their Tuesday evening meetings at 6 p.m. in the Village Inn, Pitlessie.