About: 'Zafèn' means "It's our business" in Haitian Creole. The project is designed to connect Haitian business owners with the Haitian diaspora and individual lenders interested in developing Haiti's economy.
How it works: Zafèn creates an opportunity for everyday individuals to contribute financial resources online (in the form of donations or interest-free loans) to pre-screened, sustainable non-profit and for-profit Haitian business projects. Zafèn does not fund projects itself.
How to get involved: Individuals are able to explore projects and make contributions (loans or donations) to projects that need funding. The funding goes directly to the projects individuals identify. Lenders can track their loans, watch the loan be repaid, then reinvest or withdraw their original contribution amount - all online.
How businesses qualify: A vetting process for each project ensures it meets the following criteria: potential for job creation; potential for poverty alleviation; commitment to sound principals of business ethics; and demonstration of social or economic community impact.
How the money moves: Funds are passed electronically from donors via PayPal through partner organizations in Haiti. Partner organizations disburse funds directly to the designated enterprise. Donations will not be released until the project is fully funded.
Source: http://www.zafen.org