In the heart of Cox’s Bazar, nestled between the beauty of the sea and the struggles of daily life, a young woman dared to dream differently. Meet Safatul Afifa Safa, a passionate, determined youth and a proud trainee of the Digital Marketing course under the “Hands-on Skill Development Program for Internet-based Applications to Empower Underprivileged Youth,” implemented by Songjog Foundation with support from the Internet Society Foundation.
Born into a modest middle-class family, Safa’s life was shaped by the realities of financial hardship. Her family’s survival rested solely on her father’s income. But even in the face of adversity, Safa chose not to give in. Instead, she chose to rise.
Safatul Afifa Safa
"I wanted to do something on my own, not just to support my family, but to prove to myself that I can make a difference. This program gave me more than digital marketing skills. It gave me self-worth, direction, and the courage to stand on my own.”
When she enrolled in the Digital Marketing training course, she had little more than a dream and determination. Through the intensive, hands-on sessions, she learned how to build an online presence, market products through social media, and understand consumer behaviour in the digital world. With these new skills, Safa turned her passion into a purpose.
Today, Safa is running her own F-Commerce (Facebook Commerce) business, using the power of the internet to sell hand-crafted items and her original artwork. From paintings and calligraphy to handmade crafts, Safa’s creations now find their way into homes across the country. Her social media pages are active hubs of engagement and creativity, managed entirely by her a testament to the skills she has acquired.
Safa’s journey is not just her own. It represents the stories of many young people in coastal and underserved regions of Bangladesh who, when given the right tools, can transform their lives. Her success reminds us that digital inclusion is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Through the Songjog Foundation’s program, hundreds of youth like Safa are stepping into the digital economy, not just as consumers, but as creators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. As Bangladesh moves toward a digital future, Safatul Afifa Safa stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and hope, proving that even in the most challenging environments, dreams do take flight when courage meets opportunity.
