With the cool breeze of a quiet dawn, long before the rest of the world wakes, Hawla Riza’s day has already begun. Amidst the demanding responsibilities of her daily life, these silent, uninterrupted hours were her only true sanctuary. Sitting alone with nothing but the "Notes" app open on her smartphone, her fingers translated the deepest, most hidden emotions of her heart onto a digital screen. It was a painstaking, disciplined journey that spanned two years. That quiet dedication culminated beautifully when she stood on one of the Maldives’ most prestigious stages to receive the title of the nation's best poetic work.
The origin of this remarkable journey, however, was not born of joy. In 2021, Hawla’s world was turned upside down by the heartbreaking loss of her beloved father. The grief brought sweeping changes to her family and her personal life, creating a heavy cloud of sorrow that was difficult to navigate. In a desperate search for a lifeline, she turned to writing. For Hawla, putting words together became the ultimate remedy for an aching heart, a way to breathe life back into her own spirit when everything else felt overwhelmingly dark.
Journaling had always been in Hawla's blood. Since childhood, she harbored a deep-seated habit of writing down her feelings. Whether she was experiencing the peaks of happiness or the valleys of sorrow, pen and paper were her most trusted confidantes. Following her father's passing, this private habit evolved into profound, raw poetry. When she cautiously began sharing these verses on Instagram, the response was unexpected and overwhelming. People who were silently battling their own grief found comfort in her words, giving Hawla a renewed sense of purpose.
That digital encouragement was the spark she needed. Her poetry soon traveled from the confines of social media to the pages of international literary magazines. Seeing her work published and embraced globally gave her the confidence to realize that her writing was more than just a personal diary—it was a valuable body of work waiting to be compiled. Thus began the creation of Heal in Paradise, a groundbreaking concept in Maldivian literary history: the nation's first "Poetry Souvenir," designed to offer both tourists and locals a deeply meaningful keepsake.
Balancing this creative pursuit was no small feat. As a full-time Human Resource Management lecturer, Hawla had to sacrifice sleep, utilizing the early hours of the morning and brief pockets of free time throughout the day to write. Released in 2025, the book stands as a testament to her unwavering discipline. She structured the collection into three distinct chapters—Love, Pain, and Heal—a deliberate arrangement that mirrors the universal psychological journey of experiencing hardship and eventually finding peace.
In Heal in Paradise, the natural beauty of the Maldives is not merely a scenic backdrop. The pristine white sands, deep blue lagoons, and swaying palm fronds are woven into the poetry as powerful metaphors for human emotion. The collection goes beyond surface-level aesthetics, paying tribute to the immense sacrifices of Maldivian ancestors and martyrs who shaped the "paradise" we see today. Through her verses, Hawla also introduces the world to the resilience of Maldivian women, traditional fishing heritage, and the rich cultural fabric of island life.
Taking the brave route of an independent author, Hawla managed the design, printing, and distribution entirely on her own, without initial institutional backing. Her vulnerability paid off, earning her an extraordinary outpouring of love from readers. Today, Heal in Paradise has become a highly sought-after gift. Orders frequently come through her website with special requests for gift-wrapping, as readers choose the book as the perfect, emotion-filled present for anniversaries, birthdays, and romantic milestones. For those struggling to articulate their own feelings, Hawla’s book has become their voice.
Hawla views poetry as far more than just beautiful language; to her, it is a vital tool for mental wellbeing. She describes her writing as a defensive weapon, a soothing balm, and a safe wall to hide behind when the world becomes too much. She believes that holding onto silent anxieties and unspoken pain creates tight, unbearable knots in the heart. By writing them down, or sharing them through art, those knots gently untangle, bringing an indescribable clarity and lightness to the mind.
The ultimate validation of her solitary, self-funded endeavor came from the highest levels of the state. At the Maldives Expo 2026, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade alongside the Business Center Corporation (BCC), Heal in Paradise won 1st place in the Poetic Works category. In a grand ceremony at Barcelos Nasandhura, the Attorney General of the Maldives presented Hawla with the award, with the President in attendance.
This accolade represents a monumental shift in Maldivian literature. Historically, state recognition in poetry has been heavily reserved for classical Dhivehi verse forms like raivaru and lhen. Bestowing this honor upon a contemporary, plain-spoken English collection signals a widening of the national literary identity—acknowledging the bilingual reality of modern Maldivians. It also sends a powerful message to independent writers across the country: you do not need to fit a traditional mold to be heard, and self-published works can indeed meet the highest standard of excellence.
For Hawla Riza, the dream does not end with a national award. Her vision extends far beyond the shores of the Maldives. She hopes to elevate Maldivian literature and culture into a recognized "global voice." Those quiet dawn hours, spent tapping away on a phone screen, have transformed into a literary treasure that the entire nation now celebrates—a shining example of how enduring pain can beautifully manifest into a triumphant reality.