Fourteen-year-old Thuch Salik become an overnight celebrity last year, after a video of him selling souvenirs at Angkor Archaeological Park in multiple languages and dialects went viral online.

At the time of the video being filmed, Thuch lived with his parents and two brothers close to the park. His parents had relocated the family from the city of Battambang to Siem Reap to work in the tourist trade, but incurred great debts during the move. 

Thuch's father, 42-year-old Son Vuthy, and eldest brother, 16-year-old Thuch Sitha, worked as artists painting Angkor vistas, whilst his mother, 37-year-old Mam Canna, worked with Thuch and her youngest son, 11-year-old Thuch Titya, selling souvenirs. 

In the morning, the boys were able to go to school, but in the afternoon, they had to work to support the family.

“When I sold souvenirs with my children, if I saw a tourist buying a souvenir from them, I felt happy. But I was also sad when I saw them not buying anything and threatening my children. I felt pity for them, but I didn't know what to do because we were poor,” said Mam.

Thuch was always a bright boy and would often beg his mother to allow him to study foreign languages, but she had no money to provide lessons for him. Yet this didn't deter the tenacious teenager.

“I learnt from tourists. I selling with the tourists. Before I sell only one U.S. dollar. I don't know everything and I hear from the tourists, when they say something, I listen. One day, two days, three days, I listened,” said Thuch. “I remember, and I say like the tourists.”

Since the video was posted, Thuch and his family have received donations and offers of help from around the world.

Initially, Thuch went with his mother and younger brother to Phnom Penh and was enrolled at BELTEI International School by a Cambodian businessman. This month, however, Thuch Salik flew to China to begin his studies at Hailiang Foreign Language School in Zhejiang Province, China.

Thuch had continuously expressed his wish to visit China and study Mandarin. Although his parents were apprehensive, they decided to let him join the Chinese school.

Zhejiang Hailiang Charity Foundation will fully cover Thuch's expenses until he finishes university, or even doctoral studies, according to a statement from the Hailaing Education Group.

The group revealed that a major factor in giving Thuch this chance to realize his dreams is due to their newly-launched “One Belt One Road” International Talent Study-in-China Philanthropic Program. As a part of this program, Hailiang will offer scholarships to talented youths in BRI countries from poor backgrounds.

“I feel that this is the fortune of my son. Other children are clever too, but this is the good luck and fortune of my son,” said Mam.

(Cover photo: Thuch Salik and his family outside their home in Siem Reap. /CGTN Photo)