Hear it from our alumni: CHRF’s high school trainees share their experiences 

Last summer was an incredibly hectic but fulfilling time for the Building Scientist for Bangladesh team at CHRF. We had a huge surge of students wanting to spend their summer with us and learn about the work that the Infectious Disease Detectives of CHRF do every day. In this blog, we share some memorable experiences of our brilliant high school trainees.

Every second spent with CHRF was productive and totally worth it. Microbiologists give back to the community in ways that are not appreciated enough, and I am determined to change that. Being at CHRF has been an extremely fun journey because it has made me new friends and given me a new perspective of what I want to do with life. I cannot thank CHRF enough for letting me be a part of this 2-week long and couldn't think of a better way to spend the time.

By Zaeema Jannat (Grade 9) from Playpen School, Dhaka. 

Until I ended up at CHRF. That is when I realised that not all heroes wear a cape. Some are dressed in white coat While some are adorned in sarees like Dr. Senjuti Saha because they love to represent Bangladesh. Living in a century where the young generation has drifted far away from patriotism, for the first time I felt that I had a core and I belonged somewhere. I felt my broken dreams being glued back like a Kintsugi vase. Thank you for making me more certain that I must bring back the privilege I was bestowed back to my country. It is your journey and heart which is so full of love for Bangladesh that inspired me. 

By Maria Munzalin Mozumdar (Grade 11) from Manarat Dhaka International School and College

The things I learned during the program let me deepen my understanding of the things I study in a classroom, and they acted as a perfect complement to my academic curriculum. Moreover, CHRF and BSB allowed me to meet some of the most talented and incredible people from my generation.

By Adrita Zaima Islam (Grade: 11) from S.F.X. Greenherald International School 

I've always respected the doctors and nurses committed to healthcare. CHRF exposed me to the heroes behind the door: the biologists working tirelessly in the lab with their patient samples, their dedication and work ethic no less than that of a doctor. All my life I have been fascinated by life sciences, but until I was one of the Infectious Disease Detectives, I had no idea how rewarding the experience was. The more I spent time with these heroes, the more I became sure that I wanted to be one of them in the future.  

By Nazaha Izdihar Amatullah (Grade: 12) from Engineering University School and College

I can't verbalize enough the cooperation I saw, I felt. We would just burst into the labs and the lab members, who were busy doing lab work, would instantly turn into great mentors and start explaining necessary concepts with practical demonstration - how to gram staining, how to sterilize, what are the precautions, etc! I can't still forget the interesting appliances and setups we were shown. PCR, autoclave machine, agar medium, sheep firm and whatnot. Who knew I would be running a PCR machine when I haven't yet started university? That's the amount of trust they put in me which was enough to boost me. And every time I felt any difficulty, my mentor was quick to cooperate and guide me through that. Having a mentor who, not for once, dropped the smile from her face was so reassuring and would always put me at ease.

By Nur E Jannat Anika (Grade: 12) from Viqarunnisa Noon School and College 

Throughout my life, I've been an avid biology enthusiast, yet I remained uncertain about my undergraduate major. However, my internship experience has unveiled my true calling – microbiology. Now, I am resolute in dedicating my future to this field. Although I plan to pursue my bachelor's degree abroad, my time at the Bangladesh Children's Hospital has left an indelible mark on my heart, compelling me to return to my nation and contribute to the revolutionization of our healthcare sector. 

By Rabbani Rasha Rhythm (Grade: 12) from S.F.X. Greenherald International School 

Being at a World Health Organisation Sentinel site at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital was a privilege for me and so was being able to see all the microbiologists and molecular biologists at work. There was a lot to learn from their techniques of working with bacteria. The elaborate process of making a bacterial culture taught me more than just how bacterial colonies grow or what medium they grow in, as it also made me appreciate life on a microscopic level and made me aware of how important attention to detail is in science. 

By Mahir Daiyan (Grade: 12) from Scholastica 

Witnessing the hardships faced by children in compromised health conditions was a profoundly eye-opening experience. Interacting with parents of these resilient young souls amidst their struggle stirred a myriad of emotions within me – from heartwrenching empathy to unwavering determination. These children became a poignant reminder of the urgent need for dedicated research and intervention to alleviate their suffering. 

By Aunjishu Rahman Shrabonti (Grade: 12) from Mastermind English Medium School 

To date, I had a very blurry idea of what it could be that biological/biomedical scientists did. Then, through this program, I had the privilege of visiting the lab facilities at the CHRF headquarters and Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, attending the meticulous lectures conducted by the ever-patient Jaasia Apu, and receiving hands-on training in basic microbiological and molecular biological laboratory techniques. Now, I can confidently tell you in detail what it is that microbiologists, molecular biologists, and a range of other biological scientists do. I have gained an awareness and appreciation of the impact and crucial importance of their work. I am extremely grateful to CHRF for taking the initiative of these programs that make knowledge on this branch of science accessible to school children throughout the country.

By Amrin Tasnim Rafa (Grade: 12) from Scholastica 

The adrenaline rush I felt while streaking agar and eagerly waiting to see the bacteria after gram-staining was unique, and not an experience that most high school students in my country get to have. The practical work with PCR and electrophoresis reminded me of my A-level biology chapter on "gene technology," but this time, I truly understood the principles of the techniques and their real-life applications in finding specific pathogens. It made me realize that simply memorizing notes without understanding practical application is not true learning. 

By Surid Ahammad (Grade: 12) from BAF Shaheen English Medium College 

In the labs, I discovered a world of wonders. Streaking bacterial colonies on agar plates was like painting on a canvas of life. Watching the vibrant streaks grow and form unique patterns brought a childlike joy to my heart. Gram staining, with its vivid hues, turned microscopic organisms into stunning artwork under the lens of the microscope. These simple yet profound techniques made science feel like magic. 

By S M Nasif Fahmeed (Grade: 12) from Scholastica

Coming all the way to Dhaka from my lovely Chattogram for this course in CHRF was fascinating, a lifetime experience for me. I was eagerly waiting for my first day there and bonded with my fellow teammates only in some minutes. We had a nicetor of the lab in the headquarter, watching all the mesmerixing machines and knowing a bit of history about them. The most important part was the safety measures, never forget your shoe-covers, labcoat and gloves!

By Sabiha Ulfat (Grade: 12) from British Columbia School

But CHRF is so much more than just looking through those lenses. It is a place where young minds are encouraged to learn and gain invaluable experiences. During my time at CHRF playing the ‘Infectious Disease Detective- Advanced Level’ I was given hands-on training with some of the friendliest staff and researchers working tirelessly inside the microbiology lab of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institue. With the help of the trainers, we were able to detect, grow and find out what bacteria has been causing a patient to endure certain symptoms of a disease. Every day we were given two clues that lead us closer to tracking down the culprit just like in a game. Through this, we saw how bacteria taken from the blood samples of a child go through the process of gram staining, streaking, electrophoresis, and PCR. 

By Sumaiya Tabassum Mehereen (Grade: 10) from Playpen School, Dhaka

These processes made me so interested in this field that I desperately want to be a microbiologist, I mean who wouldn't love to run all these tests and see the big machines and of course nobody would like to miss out on witnessing live bacteria, I mean come on that’s the most exciting part!! And obviously, all this thrill wouldn't have been possible without our amazing trainers who were so informative and kind throughout the journey. These practical experiences with them not only reinforced our theoretical knowledge but also instilled our problem-solving abilities and critical thinking, which are invaluable for a successful career in any scientific field.  

By Sayra Nashia (Grade: 10) from Playpen School, Dhaka