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Jamaican Teen to Advise On Tech KINGSTON, Jamaica--Jamaica has appointed a 13-year-old computer wizard as a government consultant to help the bureaucrats keep up to date with the latest developments in computer technology. Makonnen David Blake Hannah became the youngest-ever government adviser when he was named youth technology consultant by Minister of Commerce and Technology Phillip Paulwell this week. Paulwell said the boy would be "responsible for putting forward the valued perspectives of the new generation" and will inform the minister on new trends in computer technology. He will receive an honorarium for his efforts. Hannah's groundbreaking post follows in the tradition of his grandfather, Evon Blake, a journalist and author who broke the color barrier in Jamaica when he jumped into the "whites only" swimming pool at Myrtle Bank Hotel in Kingston. It was an unheard-of act of defiance at that point in Jamaican history and resonated through the years. Hannah will keep the ministry abreast of Web sites and software to help the government make computers and computer-based education available to Jamaican children, Paulwell said. Paulwell added the youngster to his ministry after meeting him during the filming of a movie and being impressed with his grasp of computer technology, officials said. Paulwell announced the appointment at a ceremony at a new computer technology institution to be run by Hannah's mother, Barbara Blake Hannah, a journalist and former senator. The center, to which software giant Microsoft donated equipment and software through its "Connected Learning Community" program, will train gifted children ages 6 to 18. http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,24592,00.html?pfvYou've reached the end of this story... Do you want to read more about Makonnen? [ Next Makonnen Story ] Or, check out the next success story! [ Next Success Story ] . about us . thanx . contact . awards . guestbook . site map . Copyright (C) 1999 (email link outdated) |