There is no more meritocratic industry than software. Most of the great programmers I know were outsiders or misfits growing up. Learning to program was a refuge from their "normal" life. Only later did they realize that it made for a great career.

Kids that have the knack for technology should be identified early, and given resources to teach themselves to build software, no matter where they are growing up. They'll grow up to be members of a lucrative profession and be able to give back to their communities.