Salma was born in approximately 1983 to a poor family in Gabunia Village, Barobaishdia Island (a neighboring village to Katakhali). She was one of four children, all girls, none of whom had the chance to go to school. At age 12, she was sent to Dhaka, the capital, to work in a garment factory, where she worked for five years. Around age 17 or 18 she was married to a young man of Katakhali Village and came to live with his family. She has three children: Evia (girl, age 16), Shakil (boy, age 12) and Rijol (boy, age 4). Salma is very proud that her daughter is enrolled in school and is about to take her high school matriculation exams for grade 10. Shakil is in 8th grade and works for a restaurant in a neighboring village during school breaks.

Salma survived cyclones SIDR and AILA by taking shelter in the Health Center. She was already a member of the cooperative. Her home was destroyed by SIDR and she received a new home deeded to her from Samhati. Before joining the cooperative, she did not know how to write her name. She is very proud that she can now read and write many words and can sign documents. She hopes to educate all her children. Her husband fishes for others but the fish supply has greatly reduced so they are struggling to make a living. Salma and her husband do not own any land so they are not able to grow their own food. Salma supplements her income by doing vegetable and fish farming on the cooperative. In 2015, Salma moved from Katakhali Village to another nearby community.