As the weeks progressed Linda conducted numerous conversations to inform the artists as well as acquire information. She conversed through a hired translator by the name of Zia Muhammad. He too, as it later transpired, proved to be an invaluable asset to the success of the project.

Through conversations with the musicians it was noted that when they had come into contact with westerners on a number of occasions during the previous few years their hopes had been raised then dashed again by seemingly false promises of travel and work. Due to the personal contact and follow-up documentation, such as invitation letters, Linda dispelled this negative perspective. The musicians had never travelled outside the country and via conversations with the field consultant they were given a crash course in world travel.

Shalwar kamiz is the national dress for Afghanistan, but the musicians quickly concluded that a western suit might be better to facilitate their progress through passport control at Heathrow. However, this posed a financial problem - Ghulam Haidry’s work as a member of the Radio and Television Musicians group earned him only US$40 per month - barely enough to cover food costs - and his colleagues’ monthly take-home pay was of a similar level. Most Afghan musicians play at weddings and other celebrations to make ends meet and a trio makes only $40 to $100 at such shows. So a donor had to be found to outfit the musicians in basic western suits. Funds to purchase cases for instruments and professional services were provided by the Asian Music Circuit through money transfers via private agencies in London and Kabul and paid via the field consultant.