Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Mobile Business Training

Dondra, Polhena, Weligama, Dickwella

Bringing Skills to the Doorstep of Coastal Women Entrepreneurs

In the heart of Sri Lanka’s southern coast, women entrepreneurs running small-scale tourism businesses often face challenges in accessing high-quality training that could transform their livelihoods. To bridge this gap, the Business Training Boot Camp was launched—a mobile, hands-on program that brought professional cookery and business development training directly to women in Dondra, Polhena, Weligama, and Dickwella.

This innovative initiative eliminated barriers of distance and affordability, creating a supportive environment where women could enhance their skills while continuing to balance their home and business responsibilities.

The program was possible through the funding of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the dedicated implementation by the Institute for the Development of Community Strengths (INDECOS).

What the Boot Camp Offered

Over several sessions, participants engaged in both practical cookery training and business development modules tailored to the tourism sector. Key areas of learning included:

Modern cookery techniques suited to both local and international tourists.
Food hygiene and safety standards critical to hospitality.
Menu planning, portion control, and cost management.
Networking and peer learning with fellow entrepreneurs.

The mobile design of the training ensured inclusivity and fostered a practical, collaborative learning atmosphere.

Transformative Outcomes

The boot camp delivered measurable success across four key areas:

Enhanced Culinary Competence
- Over 80% of participants showcased improved culinary skills, confidently preparing hygienic, well-presented menus tailored to tourists’ tastes.
Greater Market Competitiveness
- Improved food quality and consistency enhanced customer satisfaction, with participants beginning joint marketing activities to increase visibility.
Expanded Networks and Peer Support
- Informal women’s entrepreneur networks emerged, strengthening links with local suppliers and tourism operators.
Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Participants reported increased confidence in running their businesses, with many expecting to see higher sales, new customers, and improved profitability within months.

Voices of Change

The impact was best expressed by the women themselves:

“Before this boot camp, I only cooked local dishes for tourists. Now I know how to present meals that suit both local and international visitors.”—Participant, Dondra

“Learning about portion control and cost management has opened my eyes. I can now plan my menu and pricing better to avoid losses.”—Participant, Weligama

“The networking part was very helpful. I met other women like me, and we are already planning joint promotions for our guesthouses.”—Participant, Dickwella

“I feel more confident to run my kitchen like a business. The hygiene and presentation tips will make my food stand out.”—Participant, Polhena

Lessons Learned

Despite its success, the program revealed areas needing attention:

Many women struggled to attend regularly due to household and business duties.
Limited access to equipment and ingredients slowed immediate application of new skills.
A gap in digital marketing knowledge highlighted the need for further training.
Informal networks require structured follow-up to remain sustainable.

Looking Ahead: Recommendations for Lasting Impact

Building on the program’s achievements, the following steps are recommended:

Follow-up mentoring and refresher sessions to reinforce skills
Digital marketing modules to help women expand visibility online
Starter kits or small grants to support immediate application of new practices
Strengthened business networks, using platforms like WhatsApp for collaboration
Flexible scheduling to align with women’s business realities
Integration with local suppliers and tourism operators to expand opportunities

A Step Toward Sustainable Growth

The Business Training Boot Camp succeeded in more than just teaching cookery and business skills—it sparked confidence, collaboration, and innovation among women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka’s Matara coastal region.

By bringing knowledge directly to their communities, this initiative laid the foundation for stronger, more competitive women-led businesses that can thrive in the tourism economy.

The Dondra Boot Camp