The DS or the charger?

Go try a different charger at a buddies house or something.

But new chargers dont really cost anything like 5-10 bucks.

That's weird, sounds almost like a PSP brick(Only that that happens when you try to turn it on, not charge it).

My only thoughts on this is that maybe there's a loose piece inside the system? Have you ever dropped it or soaked? Heck, perhaps in your ausense, somebody in your family accidentally dropped it, and decided not to tell you? But really, no idea, assuming you are not screwed like me(In a S,A country,,,,,luckily my DS is still ok) send it to Nintendo

Try cleaning up where the battery is. Just pop out the battery clean it up the area that holds it in the ds then try cleaning up the battery.
Note: use a dry cloth

Then carefully put the battery back in. It probably won't work but it is probably worth a shot.

does it charge?

maybe its the light!

This tutorial should explain how to fix your ds:

1) Try putting the charger and try turning it on to see if the problem is not the light that is broken.

2) Get a new charger and/or battery and see if the problem is solved.

3) Check if there is energy coming through the wall you're putting the charger.

4) Check if there is anything damaged in your ds, if yes send it to nintendo to fix it.

5) If you cant find damages then interrogate your family/friends to see if they accidentaly broke it, then send it to nintendo.

6) If you didnt manage to find the cockprit and cant send it to nintendo or they couldnt fix it, then buy a new one.

7) If you dont have money to buy it then get a job

8) If you cant find a job then start to cry.

Well, its a bit overdetailed in some aspects but here it is. :P