Pennies Have Power®

Pennies Have Power is a simple but life-changing charity that has been established to end the suffering of thousands of children. Called one of the "10 forgotten diseases," the Buruli ulcer claims 70 percent of its victims from the ranks of children under the age of 15. This is why we are reaching out to the children of the world to help the children of Africa.

For years the victims of the Buruli ulcer have lived in the deadly shadows of neglect. One of the many tragedies is that, if caught early, an ulcer can be treated and cured for just pennies. Left untreated, it means a child will endure a life of rejection or may needlessly die.

Our charity has been established to fund programs that will help find a cure for the Buruli ulcer and to make an all-out effort to help the children who are suffering. Our funding plans currently include:

  • Research at Michigan State University that is working on finding the source of the disease –Currently funded
  • Research at the University of Tennessee to determine how the bacteria spreads and importantly – Currently funded
  • Research and develop products that will effectively treat the Buruli ulcer – currently funded
  • Funding the costs associated with treating the Buruli ulcer in its early stages (for about $15.00 a child)
  • Education for the children that have an ulcer because that are not allowed to attend school
  • Purchase of pencils, paper and supplies for the children so they can write, draw and learn
  • Training of medical staff so they can detect the ulcer for early treatment
  • Education about the Buruli ulcer for affected villages, to help overcome fear and misunderstanding
  • Purchase of medical supplies needed for the treatment of the Buruli ulcer once it has gone beyond early intervention
  • Purchase of equipment that will be part of a job training program so that the victims of the Buruli ulcer can make a living (not now possible)

The needs are great and the opportunity to make a very meaningful contribution is within your reach. On behalf of the children of more than 39 poor African countries we seek your help and support. Our charity is all about children. Through the efforts of "fortunate" children, we can save the lives of children born into poverty. For less than the cost of a pizza, a child in Africa can be saved!

We are in the process of developing programs for schools. With our education plan you can learn about these African countries and the children that need your help. Once you know more you can setup a classroom project that will raise money to help. We have come up with some "starter" ideas and we intend to expand our list and we welcome your ideas. The important thing is that we can help put an end to this needless suffering. Won't you help?

Ideas for Pennies Have Power Teams:

Pennies (and nickels, and dimes, and quarters, and…!) can be collected through whatever means each group comes up with. We encourage creativity! Some ideas include the following:

  • Teachers can put Pennies Have Power collection containers on their desks in their classrooms.
  • Kids can work with their favorite local businesses to keep Pennies Have Power containers at their checkout counters
  • Classes, youth groups, or other kids’ teams can set up Web sites to collect "pennies" and other donations
  • Kids' sports teams can have pennies and loose change collected at the concession stands of all their games
  • Teams can create Pennies Have Power collection envelopes that they distribute to family and friends.

Anytime anyone buys a candy bar, a burger, a toy or any other purchase, they can put the loose change in the envelope for contribution.